The Azawad Liberation Front (ALF) announced it had retaken control of the strategic city of Kidal and was advancing towards Gao. While the Tuareg rebels are boasting of their successes, the Malian junta maintains its positions despite an unprecedented offensive.

A simultaneous offensive across the entire territory

Mali descended into unprecedented violence on Saturday. Coordinated attacks struck several key locations across the country, from Bamako and Kati in the south to Gao , Sévaré , and Kidal in the north. This simultaneous show of force marks a sharp deterioration in the security situation.

Despite the violence of the clashes, the Malian army (FAMA) sought to reassure, declaring that "the situation is under control" and that sweep operations are currently being carried out to secure the areas of confrontation.

Kidal: A symbol that is faltering?

The major breakthrough of the day came from the Azawad Liberation Front (ALF) . The separatist movement claims to have recaptured Kidal, a highly symbolic city retaken by the national army two years ago.

"Our forces control the entire city," said Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the FLA.

According to the rebels, the latest fighting is concentrated around the former MINUSMA and Barkhane camps. The movement also claims an advance in Gao , where several outposts have reportedly been neutralized. For the time being, these territorial gains have not been confirmed by independent observers.

A potential setback for the Bamako government

Faced with these demands, the transitional authorities are downplaying the impact of the offensive, attributing the attacks to "unidentified armed terrorist groups".

However, for many analysts, the scale of the operation suggests unprecedented coordination between the FLA rebels and certain jihadist factions in the Sahel. If the fall of Kidal is confirmed, it would represent a major military and political setback for the regime of General Assimi Goïta , which has made territorial sovereignty the cornerstone of its governance.