2nd Battle of Kidal

Second Battle of Kidal
Part of the Internal conflict in Azawad

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

MNLA Victory

Belligerents

 Mali

 Azawad

Strength
1.500[1] Unknown
Casualties and losses
40 Killed
50 Wounded
70 prisoners
(According to MNLA)[2]		 2 Killed
10 Wounded
(According to 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 1500 Malian soldiers as reinforcements arrived in the city after the captures of governorate by MNLA.[1] During the capture of this building, men have MNLA took hostage about 30 officials[5] but they will be released soon.

Malian army offensive

On 21 May, the Malian army has 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]

According to MNLA, they seized "50 4 x 4 vehicles brand new" 12 armoured vehicles and tons of ammunition and weapons.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mali : libération de la trentaine d'otages à Kidal". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Mali : l'armée subit de lourdes pertes face au MNLA". Le Point Afrique. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 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 : l'armée subit une cuisante défaite à Kidal". Le Point Afrique. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.

Coordinates: 18°26′28″N 1°24′26″E / 18.4411°N 1.4072°E / 18.4411; 1.4072

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