It followed a failed army offensive on May 21, 2014 to retake the northern town of Kidal.

The Malian army on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, suffered a crushing defeat after it tried to retake the northern town of Kidal from Tuareg rebels without the knowledge and support of UN peacekeepers and French troops based there.

Retreating government troops fled toward Gao, while others sought refuge in UN and French bases in the northern provincial town. Radio France Internationale, RFI yesterday, May 22, 2014, reported that emboldened Tuareg rebels from the MNLA, MAA and HCUA groups reportedly overran the town of Ménaka, as well as taking control of Léré, located to the west of Timbuktu, Andéramboukane and Ansongo in the north east near the border with Niger Republic.

The MNLA said they flushed out government forces from Kidal after six hours of fighting and went on to raise their flag over the military base. Eyewitnesses said parts of the town centre, including the market, were destroyed in the fighting. An MNLA official, Attaye Ag Mohamed, said rebels also took over other towns in the north abandoned by the army such as Agelhok, Anefis and Tessalit, the BBC reported

Col. Fayçal Ag Kiba of the Malian army died in the fighting as the MNLA claimed to have captured 27 soldiers. Meanwhile, President Ibrahim Boubabcar Keita, has declared an immediate ceasefire. In a statement read on State television, ORTM, he said the rebels were "supported by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, terrorists and drug traffickers." He assured the public that troops were being 'reorganised' and that an investigation into the failed operation was underway. A spokesman for the President, Mahamane Baby, attributed the defeat to lack of coordination among troops and insufficient intelligence.

Fighting first broke out on Saturday, May 17, 2014, when Prime Minister Moussa Mara visited Kidal to show support for government forces based there. Control of Kidal was hitherto split between the MNLA and the government. Wednesday's fighting began when the Malian army fired rockets on the Kidal Governor's residence that was taken by the MNLA last weekend. The group and others are fighting for the independence of northern Mali.