Mali army, Russian allies suffer heavy losses in country's north, sources say

Dakar, Senegal — Mali's army and its Russian allies suffered a major setback and significant losses on Saturday while fighting separatists in the country's north, a spokesman for the rebels told AFP.  The West African nation's military leaders, who took power in a 2020 coup, have made it a priority to retake all of the country from separatist and jihadi forces, particularly in Kidal, a pro-independence northern bastion.  "Azawad fighters are in control in Tinzaouaten and further south in the Kidal region," said Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane...