The Malian army, accompanied by Russian Africa Corps troops and integrated Tuareg armed groups, has retaken the strategic city of Kidal after Tuareg separatists withdrew their forces. A convoy of around 120 vehicles entered Kidal on Tuesday afternoon without encountering resistance. The Malian officer stated that troops reached the city shortly before 1 pm local time, ahead of schedule. This development follows several days of military preparations and air strikes around Kidal.
The separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) announced its withdrawal from Kidal hours before the army's entry, citing a "strategic and controlled withdrawal" to preserve human lives amid growing danger from air strikes. The FLA attributed the move to the "disproportionate use of aerial assets" by Russian Africa Corps forces and the Malian military. The group insisted that the withdrawal was temporary and aimed to keep its capabilities intact.
The Malian army and Russian fighters have been accused of killing dozens of civilians in previous operations. The army's advance into Kidal was part of a larger operation aimed at neutralizing armed terrorist groups, destroying their safe havens, and restoring security and freedom of movement for the population. Mali's armed forces stated that they launched "large-scale air and ground operations in the Kidal region" alongside their "Russian partners".
Kidal had fallen to Tuareg separatists and jihadists from the Al Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) in late April. This loss was a significant blow to Mali's military authorities, including the killing of the defence minister. The city's recapture represents an important political and military gain for Mali's transitional authorities.
The city of Kidal has been largely deserted due to successive rounds of fighting. Most residents fled in 2023 as Malian troops and Russian fighters advanced, while many government supporters left after the army was driven out again in April. A local man reported that there were not even a hundred civilians left in the city for some time.
Air strikes intensified in the days leading up to the army's entry into Kidal, with attacks reported in and around the city and drone strikes near Tinzaouatène, close to the Algerian border. The army claimed to have carried out "precision strikes" and neutralized numerous terrorists, while the FLA accused them of "indiscriminate strikes" on civilian sites. Casualty figures have not been independently verified.
Mali has been embroiled in conflict since 2012, involving jihadist groups, Tuareg separatists, and government forces. The military authorities have turned increasingly to Russia since seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021. Recent fighting has intensified, with at least 100 Malian soldiers killed in a jihadist attack on the Dioura military camp in September and at least 50 dying in a separatist and jihadist ambush near Anéfis in July.
Key points
- The Malian army's recapture of Kidal marks a significant military and political gain for Mali's transitional authorities.
- The city's recapture follows a strategic withdrawal by Tuareg separatists, who cited the growing danger posed by air strikes.
- The conflict in Mali has intensified since 2020, with the military authorities turning increasingly to Russia for support.
