Second Battle of Kidal

The Second Battle of Kidal was a battle during the Mali War, when MNLA forces in control of Kidal attacked Prime Minister Moussa Mara's convoy during a visit to the town. Consequently, Malian government forces launched an offensive to retake the city, successfully recapturing it.

Second Battle of Kidal
Part of the Internal conflict in Azawad

House of craftsmen in Kidal
Date16–21 May 2014
(5 days)
Location
Kidal, Mali
Result

MNLA Victory

Belligerents

 Mali

 Azawad

Strength
1,500[1] unknown
Casualties and losses
40 killed
50 wounded
70 captured
50 vehicles captured
12 armoured vehicles captured
(According to the MNLA)[2]		 2 killed
10 wounded
(According to the MNLA)[2]

Since the foreign intervention in Mali, Kidal was retaken by French, Malian, and Chadian troops. On 17 May 2014, Moussa Mara, the Malian prime minister came to visit Kidal.[3]

The battle

Prime Minister's visit and hostage-taking

On 17 May, in Kidal, the Prime Minister convoy's was attacked in the streets of the city.[3] As a result, the Prime Minister condemned the violence as "...a declaration of war" and promised an "...appropriate response."[4]

On 18 May, following the capture of areas of the governorate by the MNLA, 1500 Malian soldiers arrived in the city.[1] During the capture of this government building, the MNLA captured around 30 officials[5] but they were released soon after.

Malian army offensive

On 21 May, the Malian army launched an offensive to retake the city. The fighting lasted five hours after the military camp number 1 was captured by the MNLA. After the fighting, the Malian soldiers fled towards Gao, others fled to the military camp number 2, held by the French troops and Minusma.[6] 50 Malian soldiers were killed and 40 wounded in the fighting.[7]

According to MNLA, they seized "...50 brand new 4 x 4 vehicles," 12 armored vehicles and tons of ammunition and weapons.[8]

References
  1. "Mali : libération de la trentaine d'otages à Kidal". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  2. "Mali : l'armée subit de lourdes pertes face au MNLA". Le Point Afrique. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  3. RFI (21 May 2014). "Moussa Mara à Kidal: retour sur une visite mouvementée". RFI. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  4. The war is far from over: The humiliation of Mali’s army and government is a rude reminder that the wider region is still a hive of instability, economist.com.
  5. "Mali :". leparisien.fr. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  6. RFI (21 May 2014). "Mali: Kidal est aux mains des groupes armés". RFI. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  7. "Mali says 50 soldiers killed in Kidal fighting". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023.
  8. "Mali : l'armée subit une cuisante défaite à Kidal". Le Point Afrique. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.

18.4411°N 1.4072°E / 18.4411; 1.4072

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