Fighting broke out again Sunday in Kidal, a northern Malian city, between Tuareg rebels and Malian government forces supported by Russian mercenaries. The conflict followed coordinated attacks launched Saturday by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and an Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group across Mali. FLA spokesman Mohamed Ramdane said rebels were targeting Russian fighters holed up in a camp. A local elected official confirmed gunfire in Kidal, citing clashes involving the Malian army, Russians and Tuareg rebels.
Kidal had been under Malian military control since November 2023, when it was retaken with help from Russia's Wagner paramilitary group. The FLA claims to have captured positions in the northern Gao region as well. Saturday's attacks, the worst since 2020, occurred near Bamako and in multiple towns, leaving 16 civilians and soldiers wounded, according to a government statement. The government reported "limited material damage" and said the situation was "totally under control."
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence. His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said Guterres is "deeply concerned" about the attacks and called for international support to counter violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel.
The Malian government claims control while fresh fighting rages in Kidal, exposing the fragility of its authority despite Wagner support. Civilians remain in harm's way as attacks spread across the country with little sign of effective containment. The UN's call for international action does nothing to address the immediate reality of wounded people and ongoing combat. If the situation were truly under control, battles would not be breaking out in cities just recaptured months ago.
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