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 loss of Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold that was recaptured in 2023, has delivered a stinging blow to Russian military efforts. Africa Corps, often seen as Vladimir Putin‘s primary military showcase in Africa, is currently faltering, a development that significantly damages the Kremlin‘s image of strength.
A humiliating withdrawal from northern Mali
The events on Sunday, April 26, in Kidal, northern Mali, mirrored a total collapse. A line of military vehicles was seen driving through the dust, exiting the region in haste while Tuareg rebels from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) celebrated their victory. Onboard those vehicles were members of Africa Corps, the Russian paramilitary group supporting the local junta.
While the departure followed a specific agreement and occurred without direct combat, it was marked by clear humiliation. The soldiers were disarmed and systematically cataloged before leaving this vital strategic outpost.
The symbolic fall of a strategic bastion
In a final act of provocation, the rebels were seen waving a French flag, a pointed gesture referencing the complex history of the Sahel region. Experts suggest this loss is catastrophic for Russia‘s narrative in the region. Djenabou Cissé, a researcher at the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique, pointed out that the capture of Kidal—a historical Tuareg center—had been the only major strategic victory for the Russians since they began operations in Mali in 2021. Its subsequent fall represents a total reversal of those gains.
