Mali's army, backed by Russian Africa Corps, retakes northern city of Kidal from separatist rebels

On October 6, 2026, Mali's transitional government announced that its armed forces, supported by Russia's Africa Corps, recaptured the northern city of Kidal from separatist rebels. The city had been seized by the Azawad Liberation Front and al-Qaeda-linked JNIM in April. The rebels withdrew without a fight, citing heavy airstrikes. This marks a significant victory for Mali's government, which has faced a decade-long insurgency and has increasingly relied on Russian military support.