Tuareg forces announced a controlled withdrawal from Kidal following airstrikes by the Malian military, reportedly backed by Russia's Africa Corps. The Tuareg and al-Qaeda-linked JNIM had seized Kidal in April.

Malian forces had previously retaken Kidal in late 2023 with Wagner support. Kidal is considered a strategic gateway to northern Mali, controlling the route between Gao and the Saharan interior.