Mali's Military Claims Recapture of Rebel Stronghold Kidal

Junta Leader Announces Significant Victory Amid Escalating Violence and Pending UN Mission Withdrawal

Mali's military, led by junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, has announced the recapture of the northern town of Kidal, a stronghold of Tuareg-dominated separatist groups.
The capture of Kidal, if confirmed, represents a significant symbolic victory for the ruling junta, which seized power in 2020.
The extent of the army's control on the ground remains unclear, with reports suggesting that the rebels had left the town when the soldiers entered.
Violence has escalated in northern Mali since August, with the military, rebels, and jihadists vying for control as the UN mission evacuates its camps.
The UN mission, MINUSMA, has been ordered to depart from Mali by the ruling junta, with a deadline for withdrawal set by the UN Security Council for December 31.