The Malian army has redeployed a convoy of 119 vehicles from Gao to the northern region of Kidal, a stronghold of Tuareg rebels. The decision to move was made at a meeting of national security chiefs, as the north of Mali has experienced a resurgence of hostilities between the rebels and the army since August. The junta-led government aims to re-establish state control over the area following a coup in 2020.
Fierce fighting has erupted in northern Mali as Tuareg rebels claim to have taken control of the town of Bamba from the army, following their announcement of killing over 80 soldiers in the central region. The violence comes as UN peacekeepers withdraw from Mali on the orders of the junta. The upsurge in hostilities coincides with the collapse of a 2015 peace deal and the increasing violence from Islamist militant groups. The Tuareg rebels, who seek independence for northern Mali, oppose the army's control of bases vacated by departing UN troops. The ongoing insurgency and growing jihadist attacks have led to instability and insecurity in civilian areas throughout the country.
Two people have been killed and five others injured in a mortar attack on the historic city of Timbuktu in northern Mali. The military blamed "terrorists" for the shelling, which comes amid a surge in militant attacks in the region. Timbuktu has been under siege by jihadists, leading to food shortages, and the UN peacekeeping force is pulling out at the request of the military government. The city's inhabitants have also faced shortages of food, petrol, and medicine. In addition to the attack on Timbuktu, the army foiled an attack in Léré town, killing five militants. Ethnic Tuareg rebels have raided military camps and oppose the army taking control of bases vacated by departing UN troops. The Islamist insurgents have spread from northern Mali to neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso.
