Escalating violence displaces thousands in northern and central Mali

Since late april, renewed clashes and air strikes have forced tens of thousands of Malians to flee their homes, with Gao and Ménaka among the cities bearing the brunt of this displacement. Local officials report over 40,000 people have been uprooted, seeking safety in already strained urban centers.

Kidal at the heart of the new offensive

A coalition of jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) has launched a major offensive, seizing control of the strategic city of Kidal. Fighting has intensified in surrounding areas, particularly near Anéfis, a key northern stronghold. For residents, this resurgence means repeated displacement, abandoned villages, and increasingly limited access to essential services.

Bombardments trigger fresh exodus

Over the past two weeks, military airstrikes have escalated in the Kidal region, including around Tinzawatene. While reports suggest some strikes have damaged health centers and triggered new displacements, independent verification remains challenging due to restricted access. What is clear, however, is the growing number of civilians fleeing combat zones for urban areas with already stretched resources.

Gao and Ménaka under strain

The arrival of thousands of displaced families has overwhelmed local authorities and humanitarian groups. Most are arriving from Kidal, where conditions have deteriorated sharply since late April. They require shelter, food, clean water, medical care, and support for children. This surge compounds an already dire humanitarian crisis, with Mali now hosting over 400,000 internally displaced persons—a figure many aid workers believe is underestimated. The new wave risks further destabilizing the fragile security and humanitarian situation in northern and central regions.

A decade-long security crisis

Mali has grappled with a deepening security crisis since 2012, with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, alongside armed communal and separatist factions, expanding their influence. Following military coups in 2020 and 2021, transitional authorities prioritized territorial control and security restoration. Yet the recent escalation underscores the limits of these efforts.

For residents in conflict zones, the pressing question remains: how much longer can they stay in their homes before being forced to flee again?