Mali’s military has carried out a series of overnight strikes against rebel-held positions in the strategic city of Kidal, in what defence officials describe as a major offensive to reclaim the northern capital from armed groups.
The strikes, which began late Tuesday and continued through the night, targeted multiple locations across Kidal and its surrounding areas. Military spokesman Colonel Souleymane Sissoko confirmed the operation but declined to provide specific details on casualties or infrastructure damage.
Kidal has long been a stronghold for Tuareg rebels and jihadist groups who have controlled the city for more than a decade, despite the presence of French and United Nations forces for years. Following France’s withdrawal from Mali and the subsequent reduction of UN peacekeepers, the junta led by Colonel Assimi Goita has been attempting to reclaim territories lost to armed groups.
“The army has launched a decisive operation to restore state authority in Kidal,” Colonel Sissoko said in a state television broadcast. “We call on the population to stay indoors while operations are ongoing.”
Local sources told international news agencies that heavy fighting had erupted in the early hours of the morning, with exchanges of artillery fire heard across the city. The situation remained fluid as of Wednesday afternoon.
Regional analysts say the offensive represents the most ambitious military move by the Malian junta since it seized power in 2020. However, they caution that retaking Kidal does not guarantee lasting control, as rebel groups have proved adept at guerrilla tactics and regaining territory after previous offensives.
Mali’s conflict has complex origins, combining ethnic Tuareg separatism, jihadist insurgency, and competition among great powers for influence in the Sahel. The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company with close ties to the Malian junta, has been providing security support, though its exact role in the current offensive remains unclear.