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Rebel groups in Mali capture a drone control station

Rebel groups in Mali capture a drone control station

Summary

Rebel groups in Mali captured the city of Kidal on April 26, 2026, including a military base with a drone ground control station. This station, used by the Malian Army to operate Turkish-made drones, was filmed and shown by the rebels shortly after being taken.

Key Facts

  • Two rebel groups, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), seized Kidal city.
  • The rebels captured military vehicles and equipment abandoned by the Malian Army and Russian-linked paramilitary forces.
  • Among the captured items was a mobile ground control station for Turkish-made TB2 drones.
  • TB2 drones are used by Mali for surveillance and bombing missions.
  • The control station is a container called ACE III, designed to block electromagnetic signals for secure drone operation.
  • The captured control station was confirmed to be the same type used by Malian forces in previous public military reports.
  • Turkish company Baykar supplies these drone systems to Mali.
  • The station’s capture allows rebels potential control or disruption of Mali’s drone operations.
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