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.
« C’est un échec » : au Mali, la débâcle d’Africa Corps, vitrine militaire de Vladimir Poutine
The strategic loss of Kidal, a vital Tuareg stronghold recaptured in 2023, delivers a harsh blow to Russian forces. This setback for Africa Corps, a key military showcase for Vladimir Putin in Africa, significantly tarnishes the Kremlin’s projection of power.
What transpired on Sunday, April 26th, in Kidal, northern Mali, resembled a rout. A convoy of military pick-up trucks hurriedly departed the area amidst the triumphant cheers of Tuareg rebels from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA). These vehicles carried members of Africa Corps, Russia’s armed contingent supporting the Malian junta. While the withdrawal occurred without direct confrontation, a result of a prior agreement, it came at a clear cost of humiliation. As reported by France 24, the soldiers were disarmed and individually enumerated before relinquishing their strategic position.
Before their eyes, the jubilant rebels defiantly waved a French flag. This act served as a potent provocation and a pointed 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 Russia had achieved since its arrival in Mali in 2021 was precisely the capture of Kidal, a historical Tuareg stronghold.” Its subsequent fall is now widely seen as a significant repudiation of their efforts.
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