Tuareg Rebels Withdraw from Kidal Amid Military Operations
Mali's Tuareg rebels, under the Azawad Liberation Front, have announced a tactical withdrawal from Kidal, a strategic town they captured six months ago. This decision follows intensified air strikes by Mali's military, supported by Russian forces. The FLA stated the withdrawal is a temporary measure to preserve its capabilities. Concurrently, the Malian military has initiated large-scale operations aimed at neutralizing armed groups and restoring security in the region. The conflict in Mali has escalated since a 2012 Tuareg rebellion, with the FLA and al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) uniting against the government. The military has been in power since a 2021 coup, focusing on restoring order.
Published 8 hours ago • 06 Oct 2026, 11:01 PM IST