# Tuareg rebels withdraw from strategic town of Kidal in northern Mali

https://mins.news/en/item/88455

- Al Jazeera, 2026-10-06 17:46 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/6/tuareg-rebels-withdraw-from-strategic-town-of-kidal-in-northern-mali?traffic_source=rss

> The Azawad Liberation Front says sustained air strikes by Mali’s military and Russian-backed fighters forced a “controlled withdrawal” from Kidal, six months after capturing the strategic northern town. Mali’s military said it launched large-scale air and ground operations, while pro-government fighters re-entered Kidal.

## Related coverage

- [Russia-backed Mali junta retakes strategic town after separatists withdraw](https://mins.news/en/item/89763) — France 24, 2026-10-07
- [Russia-backed Mali junta retakes strategic town after separatists withdraw](https://mins.news/en/video/89775) — France 24 English, 2026-10-07
- [Mali junta forces retake strategic town of Kidal from separatists](https://mins.news/en/item/88995) — DW, 2026-10-07