Russia seeks safe corridor from Kidal base

Reports indicate Russia has requested a safe corridor to withdraw its personnel from the FAMa military base in Kidal, northern Mali. The request comes amid a major offensive by the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which has recently captured key urban centers in the region. The situation highlights the deteriorating security for foreign forces in northern Mali as insurgent groups advance.