Mali’s military forces launched several strikes on the northern desert town of Kidal during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, local reports indicate.

Kidal has been under the control of Tuareg rebels and their JNIM jihadist allies since late April, when the two groups launched large-scale coordinated attacks across the country.

The rare alliance enabled a swift offensive that saw several strategic military bases in northern Mali overrun.

Residents told AFP they heard at least four explosions in the city on Wednesday night, causing significant material damage.

One strike destroyed a house near the former market, while another hit the governor’s compound.

A Malian army officer said the armed forces were striking specific targets and warned that the operation would intensify in the coming days.

Witnesses reported that Kidal was unusually calm on Thursday morning, with very little traffic on the roads.

The strategic northern town had served as the unofficial headquarters of the Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front coalition for more than a decade.

It was recaptured by Mali’s army in late 2023 with the support of Russian mercenaries.