Mali’s northern conflict escalates into a new phase

An unprecedented alliance between the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has escalated the conflict in northern Mali, marked by coordinated military offensives since April 2026. This partnership, formed after the collapse of the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement, poses a significant challenge to the Malian army and Russian forces in the region. Despite differing political goals, both groups have united against a common adversary, reshaping the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.

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