Kidal

Tuareg rebels withdraw from strategic northern Mali town of Kidal

Tuareg rebels said they have carried out a controlled withdrawal from the strategic northern town of Kidal after six months of control, as Mali's army launched a large-scale air and ground operation in the area with support from Russian forces. The FLA called the pullout a temporary operational measure, while a security source said pro-government gunmen including Russian paramilitaries entered Kidal on Tuesday afternoon.