The secrets behind Mali junta’s takeover of Kidal without a fight

AI Summary

Mali’s military says it has entered Kidal after Tuareg separatists announced their withdrawal as junta forces advanced. The takeover is a symbolic gain for the junta and its Russian backers, amid attacks by al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and Tuareg allies that have targeted the government and killed the defence minister.

The Malian army says it has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal, which was captured around five months ago by Tuareg separatists who announced their withdrawal earlier Tuesday as the military advanced – a symbolic boost to Mali's junta and its Russian backers. In late April, jihadists from Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and its Tuareg separatist allies kicked off a series of attacks aimed at weakening Mali's junta rulers, including taking control of Kidal and killing the defence minister. FRANCE 24’s Senior journalist Wassim Nasr explains.