Tuareg separatists allegedly hold Malian soldiers captive

Mali’s security crisis has worsened amid reports that Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) are holding Malian soldiers captive in Kidal, according to RFI and agencies on May 14th.

FLA rebels claim to be holding over 200 Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) troops as “prisoners of war” in the northern Kidal region.

Kidal is a Tuareg stronghold that the FLA recaptured on April 25th, following a wave of attacks in partnership with the al-Qaeda affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

JNIM is behind the fuel blockade that Mali experienced since September 2025; they envision that destabilising the country will lead to the establishment of an Islamic Republic.

Malian authorities regained control of Kidal in November 2023; separatists have waged war against the government since their latest uprising began in 2012 in their quest for the establishment of an independent state called Azawad.

The attacks began on April 25th and targeted cities and garrison towns in northern Mali.

Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in the violence at his residence in Kati on April 25th.

Regarding the soldiers held in Kidal, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, an FLA spokesperson, stated: “There are senior officers, non-commissioned officers; we will compile a detailed list with names and ranks.”

“They are prisoners of war, not hostages. They will eventually be released as part of negotiations, but when and under what conditions, we don’t yet know.”

While it remains unclear when the soldiers were captured, sources suggest that they were captured in several stages: during fighting on April 25th, but also in the days following Kidal’s recapture.

Russian auxiliaries negotiated their exit from Kidal following the attacks, leaving behind over 200 FAMA troops.

Since May 1st, the Tessalit camps have been controlled by JNIM and the FLA after FAMA and Russian auxiliaries deserted the camps.

Ramadane asserted that Mali’s junta has not initiated steps for the soldiers’ release; the FLA invites any international NGOs that wish to visit Kidal to observe the soldiers’ detention conditions and provide medical aid.

Despite the April 25th attacks being conducted in partnership with JNIM, the FLA maintains that JNIM has no involvement in capturing the soldiers.

Alghabass Ag Intalla, the FLA’s military leader, asserted that “JNIM captured no one. After the operations, they withdrew; we are taking care of the prisoners. If they took any prisoners, I am not aware of it.”

Maghrebi has contacted the Malian Prime Minister’s Office for comment regarding reports of FAMA troops being held captive, but has not received a response at the time of publication.

RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org