The conflict that has ravaged Mali for several years continues to cause victims and displace populations. The city of Kidal, located in the north of the country, is today the scene of a violent offensive led by the Malian Armed Forces (Fama) with the aim of regaining control of this enclave held by the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP ), an alliance of Tuareg armed groups.
The fighting between the two camps has been particularly intense in recent days. The Fama, supported by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner company, managed to advance to the town of Alkit, approximately 25 kilometers from Kidal. Clashes broke out last Saturday for two hours, testifying to the violence of the fighting taking place in the area.
On Monday morning, clashes resumed, this time in the vicinity of Alkit. The Malian army also carried out drone strikes near Kidal, without however causing any casualties according to the information collected. Despite these advances, the Fama and their allies remain blocked around the locality, facing fierce resistance from the CSP.
The observation is alarming: the civilian population of Kidal, once lively and dynamic, has fled the city en masse, seeking refuge in other, safer locations in northern Mali, or even in Algeria. The improvised camps where these displaced families have taken refuge are seriously lacking in humanitarian assistance. NGOs are absent on site, leaving survivors to their own devices in precarious and difficult conditions.
Reports emerging from the region also bear witness to the horror experienced by civilians trapped in the fighting. The Fama and Wagner’s mercenaries were accused of committing abuses against the populations, going so far as to kill civilians in cold blood. Testimonies report summary executions and mutilation of bodies, with the aim of sowing terror among the victims’ relatives. Gruesome techniques, such as trapping corpses to explode during the recovery process, are used to heighten the horror experienced by local populations.
Videos and photos were released showing the tragic consequences of these abuses. Unbearable images of decapitated bodies and trapped victims shock consciences and highlight the barbarity of the acts committed on the ground. These atrocities were allegedly perpetrated in the locality of Ersane, in the Gao region, as well as in the village of Tarkinte.
Faced with this unbearable situation, the international community cannot remain silent and must act to put an end to this cycle of violence. Humanitarian organizations must redouble their efforts to help displaced populations and to put in place protection and assistance mechanisms. Diplomatic intervention is also necessary to find a lasting political solution to the conflict in Mali and to restore peace and stability in the country.
In conclusion, the situation in Kidal is disastrous and alarming, marked by deadly fighting, abuses against civilians and massive population displacements. There is an urgent need to act to put an end to this violence and to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims. Mali needs a lasting political solution to escape this infernal cycle and regain the stability necessary for its development.