Malian troops entered the northern city of Kidal on Tuesday and consolidated their positions without encountering resistance, according to statements from the transitional government and military officers. The operation involved air and ground forces backed by Russia's Africa Corps paramilitary unit.

The Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg separatist group, had controlled the city since April after seizing it in coordinated attacks alongside the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin. The FLA described its departure as a strategic and controlled withdrawal aimed at preserving lives and capabilities amid intensified airstrikes.

Government spokesman Brig. Gen. Issa Ousmane Coulibaly said the forces carried out neutralization operations against terrorist groups in the region. Troops arrived ahead of schedule, with sources reporting a convoy of around 120 vehicles reaching the city by early afternoon local time.

This marks the second time Malian and Russian-backed forces have taken Kidal, following a 2023 recapture that was reversed in April amid nationwide rebel offensives that killed the defense minister. The city serves as a symbolic stronghold for Tuareg separatists seeking greater autonomy or independence in northern Mali.

Analysts view the development as a symbolic boost to the military-led government, restoring a measure of authority after recent setbacks. The partnership with the Africa Corps, which replaced the Wagner group, has enabled sustained operations in the Sahel region plagued by jihadist insurgencies and separatist violence for over a decade.

The recapture allows for the gradual return of public administration and basic services, officials stated. Broader control over surrounding territory remains a challenge, but the move demonstrates effective use of air superiority in reversing rebel gains.

Mali's turn toward Russian assistance has delivered tangible results in key areas where previous international partnerships fell short. The government continues operations to secure the full national territory against armed groups.