The Malian army began redeploying troops on Monday towards the northern rebel stronghold of Kidal, two security officials said, amid a recent resumption in hostilities in the region.

"As part of the reorganization of our arrangements in the north, we have begun the redeployment of our forces in the northeastern region of Kidal," a Mali military official who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP.

Another security official said the convoy was made up of 119 vehicles.