Arab Azawad Liberation Front & Islamic State

Arab Azawad Liberation Front: Arab Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-dominated rebel group, partnered with Jama at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin to carry out coordinated attacks, claiming control of Mali — Kidal and challenging Mali's military presence in the north.

Islamic State: Islamic State-aligned militants have been fighting the Malian government for over a decade, contributing to the ongoing instability in the country.