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

The Malian army, supported by Russian paramilitary forces, has retaken the strategically and symbolically important town of Kidal. Tuareg separatists withdrew without a fight due to a lack of air superiority and the town's dilapidated state. While Bamako celebrates territorial regain, jihadist groups like JNIM continue a war of attrition and engage in violent internal conflicts with the Islamic State.