Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition ride on the back of a pickup truck in Kidal, on April 26, 2026. April 25, 2026's shock attacks, synchronised by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted several areas in the vast arid country. Fighting resumed on April 26 in several areas, including Kita near Bamako, Kidal, Gao and Severe. Tuareg rebels meanwhile announced an agreement allowing Russian forces backing Mali's army to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which they claimed was "totally" under their control. (Photo by AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by - has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Removes byline]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.
The recapture of Kidal, a significant Tuareg stronghold in 2023, represents a profound repudiation for Russian forces operating in Mali. The Africa Corps, widely seen as Vladimir Poutine’s military projection in Africa, is experiencing a considerable challenge, eroding the Kremlin’s perception of power and influence.
The scene that unfolded on Sunday, April 26, in Kidal, located in northern Mali, bore the hallmarks of a clear defeat. A convoy of military pick-up trucks was observed rapidly departing the area amidst the triumphant cheers of Tuareg rebels from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA). Onboard these vehicles were personnel from the Africa Corps, Russia’s armed contingent supporting the local junta. While the withdrawal proceeded without direct confrontation, facilitated by a prior agreement, it was undeniably a humiliating event. As reported by France 24, the soldiers were disarmed and individually accounted for before abandoning their crucial strategic position.
Witnessing this, the jubilant rebels defiantly waved a French flag, a pointed act of provocation and a clear historical reference to the region’s recent past. Djenabou Cissé, an associate researcher at the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique, highlighted that “the only genuine strategic success the Russians had achieved since their arrival in Mali in 2021 was precisely the capture of Kidal, a historical Tuareg bastion.” Its subsequent fall now stands as a stark indictment of their military efforts.
