Renewed clashes broke out on Sunday between the Malian army and Tuareg fighters in the Kidal region, northern Mali, posing a significant challenge to sovereignty for the central government.

A military official confirmed that the Malian army has resumed ground operations to secure the entire national territory. On the other hand, an elected official reported that fighting resumed near Kidal, with the sound of rockets being heard.

In the same context, another official mentioned seeing army planes flying towards Kidal, while soldiers left the surrounding areas about 110 kilometers to the south, armed with heavy weapons.

Battles began on Saturday as the army advanced towards Kidal, announcing the start of the battle to control the strategic city.

The rebellion in the Kidal region and its surroundings saw the army face humiliating defeats between 2012 and 2014, serving as a long-term source of annoyance for the government in Bamako.

Even for the military leaders who seized power by force in 2020, regaining control in these areas remains a primary objective.