Fighting resumes in Mali between army and rebel groups in northern area

BAMAKO, Mali

Fighting resumed Sunday between the Malian army and Tuareg separatist and rebel groups in the country's northern region, military officers and elected officials said.

Since seizing power in a coup in 2020, the African country's military rulers have made a priority of re-establishing sovereignty over all regions and Kidal could become a key battleground.

One military officer told AFP that the Mali army has "resumed operations on the ground to secure the entire national territory."

A local elected official, also speaking under the condition of anonymity, said that "fighting has resumed near Kidal" and locals could "hear sounds of rockets".

Army planes were seen flying towards Kidal on Sunday, another official said.

Fighting had begun a day earlier as the army closed in on the area, after announcing Thursday that it was starting "strategic movements aimed at securing and eradicating all terrorist threats in the Kidal region".

A large military convoy stationed since early October at Anefis, some 110 kilometres (68 miles) to the south, set off towards Kidal.

Military, political and rebel sources all reported the clashes. But details such as a casualty toll or tactics involved could not be confirmed independently in the remote region.

The rebels in Kidal cut telephone links on Friday in anticipation of an army offensive following several days of airstrikes.