After the capture of the city of Kukia, American forces began the southern push to liberate the rest of occupied Songhai territory. American forces quickly recovered a large Songhai territory south of Kumbi Saleh, while seeing suprisingly little Turkish resistance. But even when American forces ran into any resistance, it was quickly defeated by the advanced and well-trained American forces.
While continuing the southward push, the US received the news that Novgorod had fallen to the Ottoman forces, leaving Russia with only one major city.
The US was not sure how much longer Russia could hold out, so this put pressure on American forces to finish the southern campaign as quickly as possible and come to Russia's aid.
American and Ottoman forces eventually met in a decent sized battle southeast of Taghaza, but the Turkish forces were eventually routed.
While the American robots held the line and waited for some minor repairs, an armor division landed on the island of Artuin, and, with the help of long range American missile artillery firing from the mainland, the island was taken.
Although the US didn't know for sure who the island originally belonged to, the US determined to eventually turn over control of the island to the Songhai.
Meanwhile, back on the mainland, after recuperating from the last battle, American forces continued the southern march. After a minor battle near Tombouctu, American forces captured the city and ended it's occupation.
The Songhai people watched eagerly as American forces looked to be on the verge of liberating their beloved capital.