A strategic victory captured in vivid detail. Social media is flooded with footage showing Tuareg fighters from the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA) and the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) parading atop abandoned Russian-made armored vehicles, left behind during the Africa Corps mercenaries’ hasty withdrawal. Just 48 hours after Kidal fell to advancing rebel forces, the 400-strong paramilitary unit—formerly known as Wagner—evacuated the city under heavy military escort. The FLA confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) the finalization of a « secure withdrawal agreement between Azawadian forces and Africa Corps elements », ensuring the mercenaries exited Kidal without further conflict.