Islamic State-linked insurgents leave Mali town as army tries to reassert control

FILE PHOTO: Malian soldiers stand during a patrol following the attack on Mali's main military base Kati, outside the capital Bamako, in Kati, Mali, April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

BAMAKO, April 29 (Reuters) - Malian forces are ⁠back in control of a town on the Niger border that Islamic State-linked insurgents ⁠entered this week, residents said on Wednesday, as they pushed to regain control ‌of territory following coordinated attacks over the weekend.

Mali's military leader Assimi Goita made his first appearance on Tuesday since al Qaeda-linked insurgents and a coalition of mostly Tuareg separatists launched their assault on Saturday, killing the defence minister and ​delivering a blow to Russian mercenaries backing the army.