Kidal (Tifinagh: ⴾⴸⵍ) is a small town and commune in the desert region of northern Mali. The town lies 285 km northeast of Gao and is the capital of the Kidal Cercle and the Kidal Region. The commune is located within the territory which the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad claims as the independent nation-state of Azawad, a claim that is unrecognized by the international community. It has an area of about 9,910 square kilometers and includes the town of Kidal and 31 other settlements.