The shifting frontlines of northern Mali

A powerful alliance between the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) and the JNIM, a group linked to Al-Qaeda, has dealt a heavy blow to the Mali military. In late April, coordinated strikes across several northern hubs forced a retreat of the national army and their Russian Africa Corps allies.

Kidal: A city under new management

I walked the streets of Kidal with FLA fighters who have successfully re-established their authority over this strategic location. The city had been under government control since late 2023, but recent developments have seen it slip back into rebel hands. This transition has come at a high cost; the streets are eerily silent as the civilian population has entirely abandoned their homes to escape the crossfire.

The current atmosphere is one of tense preparation. These Tuareg rebels, bolstered by their tactical partnership with JNIM, are now digging in. They are fully aware that the Mali government is likely organizing a major push to reclaim the city, and they are readying themselves for the next phase of this escalating conflict. On the ground in the Sahel, the situation remains volatile as the rebels brace for an inevitable counter-offensive.