What's behind the latest fighting in Mali?

What's behind the latest fighting in Mali? Submitted by Daniel Tester on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 16:37 An alliance of Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition is fighting a military junta backed by Russian mercenaries and with some support from Turkey A soldier from the National Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) waves an FLA flag in the streets of Kidal on 9 May 2026 (AFP). On Fighting has continued across Mali since Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition launched a surprise attack on the country’s military junta last month.