>>55323
Yeah seems like someone bought the tuaregs to stir trouble plus started to back al-Qaeda/Islamic State (perhaps moved men and arms there to buff them up).
Attacks are happening all over the country. In the capital Bamako and the near seat of the junta in Kati, where they killed the Defense Minister Studio Camera in his fortified(?) home. Plus in the other large cities, Sevare and Gao. In Kidal the Russian mercs/advisers/instructors had to bargain for safe leave, it seems they had to leave behind their weapons.
The junta says they are in control of the situation, but seems doubtful. Reports says they are using drones to monitor around capital. I have no doubt the rebels have those too.

I think the attacks in large western towns were also distractions to help the Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) to take over Kidal. Timbouktu didn't see such action because that's tuareg central (Azawad Liberation Front/ALF/FLA) and is quasi-independent from the Malian govt.