A separatist movement in northern Mali announced on Tuesday it was carrying out "a controlled withdrawal" from a strategic town in the north, a symbolic boost to Mali's army and its Russian backers in their years-long fight against insurgents including al Qaeda-linked jihadists.
The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) took control of Kidal town six months ago in nationwide attacks that also killed Mali's defence minister. It had joined forces in those attacks with the regional al Qaeda affiliate, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, known as JNIM, posing the biggest test yet to Mali's military leaders who seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021.
The FLA's decision to leave Kidal came in response to airstrikes by Mali's military backed by Russian fighters, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) said in a statement, Reuters reported.
"The FLA specifies that this is a temporary operational measure, also intended to preserve its human and logistical capabilities intact. This methodical withdrawal from the area took place without any direct combat having yet pitted its forces against the enemy," the statement said.
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