On Friday, Mali's army and its Russian mercenary allies surrendered the Tessalit military base to armed rebels, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict. This base, located near the Algerian border, is crucial due to its strategic position and well-maintained airstrip. The surrender follows a series of coordinated attacks by the Tuareg-dominated Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) and the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which resulted in the death of Mali's defense minister, Sadio Camara, and at least 23 others. The rebels are confident in their ability to not only control northern Mali but also to bring down the junta, which has been in power since a series of coups in 2020 and 2021. The situation has prompted neighboring countries, including Niger, to conduct air campaigns in response to the violence, indicating a broader regional security concern.