Mali: New clashes erupt between Tuareg separatists and state troops in Kidal region

Sunday saw a resurgence of violence in Kidal, a strategic northern city in Mali, as clashes broke out between rebels and government forces supported by Russian mercenaries, according to a Tuareg rebel and a local politician who spoke to AFP.

A jihadist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda joined forces with Tuareg rebels on Saturday to launch a series of coordinated attacks against the Malian army across the country, which is ruled by a junta.

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition of Tuareg rebels announced on Saturday that they had taken control of Kidal, with the help of jihadist fighters, marking a significant development in the conflict.

Mohamed Ramdane, a spokesman for the Tuareg rebels, stated that "fighting resumed in Kidal this morning, as we aim to drive out the last Russian fighters who have taken refuge in a camp".

A local elected official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the outbreak of fighting, saying "today, Sunday, fighting resumed in Kidal between the Malian army, the Russians, and the rebels, with residents hearing gunfire and shooting".

Kidal, a stronghold of the Tuareg people, was retaken by the Malian army in November 2023, with the support of Russia's Wagner paramilitary group, ending over a decade of rebel control.

The FLA coalition also claims to have seized positions in the northern region of Gao, further expanding their reach in the conflict.

Mali has been plagued by conflict and jihadist violence for over a decade, but the attacks on Saturday were the most severe since 2020, when the junta seized power.

Saturday's attacks occurred on the outskirts of the Malian capital Bamako, as well as in several other towns and cities across the vast Sahel nation.

The attacks resulted in 16 civilians and soldiers being wounded, and caused "limited material damage", according to a government statement released on Saturday evening, which also claimed that the situation was "totally under control" in all the affected areas.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres condemned the "acts of violence" in Mali on Saturday, expressing deep concern over reports of attacks in several locations across the country.

The Secretary-General called for "coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs", according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.