Mali's army re-enters Kidal as Tuareg separatists pull out

PANM — Mali's army, backed by Russian paramilitary forces, has re-entered the northern town of Kidal after Tuareg separatists withdrew, according to reports by DW and Africanews.

The separatist Azawad Liberation Front, known by its French initials FLA, said it had carried out a strategic and controlled withdrawal from the town, and that this took place without direct fighting. A spokesperson blamed what the group called the disproportionate use of air power by Russian fighters from the Africa Corps.

Mali's general staff said it had conducted large-scale air and ground operations in the Kidal region with its Russian partners. A government statement said troops were reinforcing their presence in the town by Tuesday night.

A town lost in April

The FLA and the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM seized Kidal in April, during a series of attacks in which Mali's defence minister was killed. Tuareg separatists have fought for years for an independent state in northern Mali.

Symbolic, not decisive

Analysts quoted in both reports describe the recapture as a boost for the military government, which was embarrassed by the loss of the town. Beverly Ochieng of the consultancy Control Risks told Reuters it affirms the government's authority and lifts army morale after recent setbacks, but is not decisive in the wider campaign against jihadist and separatist groups.

Mali has faced a security crisis since 2012. The military, which took power in coups in 2020 and 2021 promising to restore security, has relied increasingly on Russian paramilitary support. Human rights organisations have often accused the Malian army and Russian paramilitaries of killing civilians during operations, and all sides have been accused of war crimes.

This report is based on reporting by DW and Africanews.