Rebels Sweep Northern Mali — Kidal, Gao, and Timbuktu Fall Within Days

Exploiting the coup's chaos, MNLA and Islamist allies capture Kidal (March 30), Gao (March 31 — with MUJAO involvement), and Timbuktu (early April). Malian military units collapse or retreat south without effective resistance. Within two weeks of the coup, rebels control approximately half of Mali's territory — an area larger than France.