Tuareg separatists lowered the Malian flag and raised their own at a military base in Kidal.
JNIM leader Iyad Agh Ghaly is personally commanding the battle for Kidal.
The message adds that Kidal has been mostly taken and only clearing operations around the city remain.
Video evidence confirms that battles are actively ongoing in Kidal as of this report.
The militant alliance has released new video footage showing its forces operating inside the Kidal governorate.
Video shows militants inside Kidal's administrative building.
Visual evidence shows JNIM and FLA fighters inside Kidal's administrative building.
Video shows convoys of Malian and Russian Africa Corps forces, including Kidal's governor El Hadj Ag Gamou, fleeing the city.
Militants have captured the Governor's Palace in Kidal, following the withdrawal of government officials and the Malian Army.
The FLA has recaptured the city of Kidal, forcing a withdrawal of joint Wagner/FAMA forces and isolating the towns of Aguelhok and Tesalit.
Visual confirmation shows the Azawad Liberation Front flag being raised at a military base in Kidal.
Video evidence confirms the flag-lowering and replacement ceremony at the Kidal military base.