Malian troops entered the strategic northern city of Kidal on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, after fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front withdrew following months in control of the city, AFP reported, citing Malian military sources.
The withdrawal coincided with the Malian army's announcement of extensive air and ground operations in the Kidal area, aimed at pursuing armed groups and restoring security in the region.
The front said it had decided on a "strategic and orderly withdrawal" to preserve its personnel and logistical capabilities amid what it described as growing risks to civilians.
Two Malian officers confirmed that the troops had reached Kidal without encountering resistance. They said a military convoy had left Anefis on Tuesday morning and entered the city before 1 p.m. local time.
The front had reportedly regained control of Kidal in April during a broad offensive by Tuareg separatists, who were reported to have coordinated with the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
