Cika wannan jumla: A ranar 30 ga watan Maris na shekarar 2012, kungiyar National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad ta kama Kidal da sansanin sojojinta a matsayin wani bangare na tawayen Tuareg don samun 'yancin Azawad. Wani mai magana da yawun kungiyar
Rundunar sojan Mali ta ce "Don kare rayukan mutanen Kidal, rundunar sojan ta yanke shawarar kada ta tsawaita yakin". An kama Gao da Timbuktu a cikin awanni 48 masu zuwa, kuma a ranar 6 ga Afrilu, National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad ya ayyana 'yancin Azawad daga Mali. A yayin rikicin MNLA ta rasa ikonta ga mayakan Islama. A ranar 30 ga Janairu 2013 sojojin Faransa da na Mali sun koma garin don dawo da shi karkashin ikon gwamnati.