Kidal Region is the eighth administrative region of Mali, covering 151,430 km2. This area was formerly part of Gao Region, but was created as a separate region in 1991. It is located in the north of the country, within the territory which the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad proclaimed to be the independent nation-state of Azawad on 6th April 2012. This independence has not been recognized by any country or international organization. It is currently under the control of different armed movements such as the Ansar Dine and MNLA. The Region's administrative capital is the town of Kidal.