Mali Military Reclaims Key Northern City After Separatist Withdrawal

The Malian army has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal after Tuareg separatists announced a “strategic and controlled withdrawal” from the city as government forces advanced.

A Malian military staff officer confirmed the army’s arrival, telling AFP, “We have just arrived in Kidal ahead of schedule.” A second military officer also confirmed the development.

The army’s general staff said it had launched large-scale air and ground operations in the Kidal region alongside its Russian partners. According to the military, the operations were aimed at neutralising armed groups, destroying their strongholds and restoring security and freedom of movement for residents.

The recapture of Kidal represents a significant symbolic development for Mali’s transitional military authorities, who suffered a major setback when the city was taken by Tuareg separatists in April.

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg separatist group, said it had decided to withdraw its forces from Kidal in a controlled manner as the Malian military advanced.

The group had captured the city during a series of attacks carried out alongside allied jihadist fighters seeking to weaken Mali’s military rulers.

Beginning in late April, the FLA and JNIM launched several attacks across northern Mali. The fighting resulted in the capture of Kidal and the reported killing of Mali’s defence minister. The groups also briefly seized the town of Anefis during heavy clashes in early July.

Mali has faced a prolonged security crisis since 2012, with violence involving groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as criminal gangs and separatist fighters.

The country has been under military rule since successive coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta initially came to power promising to restore security and regain control of areas affected by armed groups.