Mali’s army says it has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal after Tuareg separatists announced a withdrawal as government forces advanced towards the city.
A Malian military staff officer told AFP that troops had arrived in Kidal ahead of schedule, with another officer confirming the development.
The announcement came after the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg separatist group, said it had ordered a “strategic and controlled withdrawal” of its fighters from the city.
The FLA had seized Kidal during fighting earlier in the year alongside allied jihadist groups seeking to challenge Mali’s military authorities.
Russian partners involved in operation
Mali’s military leadership said government forces had conducted large-scale air and ground operations in the Kidal region with its Russian partners.
According to a statement from the general staff, the operation was aimed at neutralising armed groups, destroying their bases and restoring security and freedom of movement for residents.
The return of government forces to Kidal would represent an important development for Mali’s military authorities, particularly after the army suffered a major setback in the city earlier this year.
The FLA said its withdrawal was a controlled military decision, although the circumstances surrounding the departure were not immediately clear.
Long-running security crisis
Mali has faced a prolonged security crisis since 2012, with attacks involving groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, separatist movements and criminal organisations.
In recent months, the JNIM militant alliance and the FLA have carried out attacks against government positions in northern Mali.
The groups captured Kidal during fighting and also briefly seized Anefis in July.
The security crisis has continued despite promises by Mali’s military rulers to restore stability following coups in 2020 and 2021.
The country remains under military rule, with authorities increasingly relying on Russian security partners as they seek to regain control of areas previously held by armed groups.
