The city of Kidal, a stronghold of the Tuareg separatists in Mali has been captured by the military in a raid that inflicted heavy losses on the armed group. The group had captured a military base vacated by the UN mission expelled by the junta. This triggered a response from the military to restore stability and control in the area…
The Malian army announced on Tuesday that it had captured the city Kidal, a northern rebel stronghold after carrying out military operations that inflicted heavy losses on armed insurgents.
Ethnic Tuareg rebels, who have long controlled much of the north from Kidal in October seized a base vacated by the departing U.N. peacekeeping mission.
This triggered a response from the army to take control of the base.
Commenting on the military raid, Mali’s coup leader, President Assimi Goita, said on X, “Today, our armed and security forces have taken over Kidal. Our mission is not complete.”
He added that the primary objective was to re-establish the territorial sovereignty of Mali in the face of repeated attacks by the rebels.
Mali has been facing internal security challenges including threats from extremist insurgents.
Unfulfilled vows by leaders of the country led to three military coups since 2012.
The new authorities have made it a priority to stem the attacks and keep the rebels at bay.
The junta has since kicked out the French troops fighting side-by-side its forces, expelled the UN Mission in the country and turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for assistance.
The Russian military group is also operating in other African countries including Central African Republic, Libya, Burkina Faso and Niger.
