In Mali, the strategic northern city of Kidal has once again fallen under the sway of rebel forces. Following a meticulously coordinated offensive in late April, the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA), a significant Touareg rebel group, joined forces with the Al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM. This powerful alliance successfully overwhelmed and dislodged the Malian army and its Russian partners from the Africa Corps across multiple locations within the nation. Our team on the ground gained access to FLA elements in Kidal, where they now assert full control, a significant reversal from their loss of the city in late 2023. The intensity of these recent clashes has led to a complete evacuation of Kidal’s civilian population. With the Touareg rebels, now solidified in their alliance with JNIM, anticipating a robust counter-offensive from the Malian government, the situation remains highly volatile.