BAMAKO, Nov 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fighting between the Mali army and separatist groups and Tuareg rebels in the north of the country continued, with both sides claiming to gain superiority.
Since taking power following a 2020 coup, Mali’s military government has prioritized reestablishing sovereignty in all regions of the country, and the strategic town of Kidal could become a key battleground.
On social networks, the Mali army affirmed that it had achieved “very important progress” thanks to its air force and ground forces. Meanwhile, the Permanent Strategic Structure (CSP) force – an alliance of armed groups composed mainly of Tuareg people – announced that it had surrounded the Mali army and the Russian Wagner mercenary group.
Military, political and rebel sources all mention clashes. However, detailed information such as the number of casualties or the tactics involved could not be independently confirmed in this remote area.
A local official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said “fighting continued near Kidal” and locals could “hear the sound of rockets.” Meanwhile, another official revealed that Malian military aircraft were seen flying towards Kidal on Nov 12.
Fighting began on Nov 11 when the Malian army approached the town of Kidal, after announcing on Nov 9 that the force would begin carrying out “strategic operations” aimed at “damming dispel all terrorist threats in the Kidal area.” Mali’s army emphasized that military operations “will continue until full security is restored in and around the town of Kidal”.
Rebel forces in Kidal have cut off phone communications since Nov 10 to prevent attacks by the Mali army after several days of air strikes.
About 25,000 people currently live in the Kidal desert area – a key location on the route to Algeria and a historical hotbed of uprisings. The conflict broke out when Tuareg rebels re-armed in August 2023. Previously, the Tuareg launched an uprising in 2012, before agreeing to a ceasefire in 2014 and signing a peace agreement in 2015.
The 2012 uprising coincided with rebel activities by radical Islamist groups, plunging Mali into a political, security and humanitarian crisis. After that, this situation continued to spread to neighboring countries Burkina Faso and Niger.
The Mali military took over the country’s leadership by force in 2020. In June this year, the Malian military government asked the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission (MINUSMA) to leave the country after many months. Relations between the two sides deteriorated.
MINUSMA’s departure from the bases where it was stationed has exacerbated the struggle for territorial control between armed groups in northern Mali, as separatists resume hostilities. against the government in Central Mali, while the rebel group “Supporting Islam and Muslims” (GSIM) affiliated with the organization Al-Qaeda increased its attacks on military positions. — NNN-AGENCIES
