Mali: Kidal targeted by several army strikes after its capture by rebels

Air strikes in the night

The Malian army carried out several air strikes during the night from Wednesday to Thursday against the town of Kidal, in northern Mali, according to military sources and local witnesses. At least four strikes were heard in the city, causing material damage. According to a resident contacted by AFP, a house located near an old market was destroyed, while another bombing hit the governorate compound. A Malian army officer said the armed forces were targeting “precise targets” and warned that the strikes “will increase in the days to come.”

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A strategic city under rebel control

Kidal has been controlled since the end of April by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The capture of the city came after a coordinated offensive carried out on April 25 and 26 against several strategic positions of the Malian junta. On Thursday morning, the town appeared unusually calm, with very little traffic, while several vehicles left Kidal during the night, according to witnesses.  Â