APA – Bamako (Mali) – Attacks by insurgents have steadily been on the increase in the Kidal region of Mali.
Since Monday 2 October, a column of combat vehicles belonging to the Malian army, backed by air power left the city of Gao and headed in the direction of Kidal, a stronghold of the rebels who began their insurgency in 2012.
The objective of the troop movement is to retake Kidal from elements of the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD), who have resumed hostilities against government forces.
For now, progress is very slow.
To date, the Malian army has not left the Gao region.
As a prelude to the military’s move towards Kidal, rebel fighters have also begun deploying reinforcements and they can count on the support of the Resistance Council for the Republic of Niger, led by former Nigerien minister Rhissa Ag Boula.
The latter, who is waging a campaign for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, announced an intention to send reinforcements in support of the CSP-PSD.
Many sources believe that a major confrontation between the two sides is inevitable.
This could once again jeopardize the peace deal signed in 2015, especially since it’s hard to imagine the Malian authorities backing down from their resolve to retake Kidal in a bid to save face militarily.
This desire was reiterated by junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, during his address to the nation on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of Mali’s independence on September 22.
The Prime Minister and the head of the National Transitional Council followed suit, reaffirming the authorities’ determination to redeploy government troops in the entire country.
MD/te/lb/as/APA