Azawad conflict
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| Azawad conflict | |
|---|---|
| Part of Northern Mali | |
| Status |
|
Coordination of Azawad Movements
(CMA)[1]
National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad
(MNLA)
High Council for the Unity of Azawad
(HCUA)
MAA-CMA
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (2017–present)
Al-Mourabitoun (2013–17)
Ansar Dine (2012–17)[3]- AQIM (2012–17)
- MOJWA (2011–13)[4][5]
Nigerian jihadist volunteers (2012–13)
- Boko Haram (2012–13)[6]
- Ansaru (2012–13)[6]
Ahmed Ould Sidi Muhammed Boubacar Taleb
9,000 - 10,000
500
19 killed, 60 wounded, 40 captured (2012)
17 killed, 20 wounded (2013)
1 killed, 1 wounded (2014)
~10 killed
The Azawad conflict has been a conflict in Northern Mali between the
Prelude - Conflict
Since its Independence in April 2012, the MNLA has been skeptical of Islamist influence over their new state's future and the implementation of sharia law. Various countries including France have denounced the MNLA's cooperation with terror groups and refused to recognize its new status due to various incidents in its fight against the Malian government which included a massacre that killed 93 Malian soldiers allegedly carried out by Islamists. Two main incidents occurred on the streets of Gao that caused confusion when civilians waving the Malian flag were fired upon by MNLA members which was denied by the MNLA itself, blamed on Islamists. Many did not support the new state of Azawad and Tuareg dominance over their land. Islamists popularity and influence grew in numbers eventually outnumbering MNLA defenders in Gao. The city was taken on June 27, over an argument that escalated into a full-scale battle. The MNLA Secretary General Bilal Ag Acherif was wounded in the battle that also killed four colonels. The MNLA's headquarters and any government building were looted along with the Azawad flag being replaced with sharia. Timbuktu was evacuated by the MNLA a day later after an ultimatum to leave. Resistance grew against Islamic rule in MNLA supported towns but never posed a great threat. On 16 November, the MNLA launched an offensive attack to reclaim their former city base of Gao from Islamists. They did not make it far before their army routed and was chased across the Niger border. Nine MNLA members were wounded, including one seriously. Islamists casualties were 13 dead. Four days later the Islamists launched their own offensive against towns with MNLA presence. The town of Ménaka's defenders were capitulated in a two-day siege that killed one MNLA member and seven pro-MNLA self-defense volunteers including a prominent political leader Alwabegat Ag Salakatou. Its disputed how many Islamists were killed. The MNLA hoped to establish Ménaka as a central base from which to launch counterattacks. In December, the now displaced MNLA began peace talks with the Malian government and relinquished its previous goal for Independence in favor of self-rule in Northern Mali. Almost half of the MNLA's combatants deserted for better pay in Islamists factions since the declaration of Independence in April 2012. At this time the MNLA controlled no big localities and was only strong in rural desert areas in the North, having been driven off from cities in the South. Troop build ups in the MNLA ranks were reportedly preparing for another offensive.
At the start of 2013, the MNLA retook its key town of Kidal after it was abandoned by French air-strikes. The Azawad flag was raised in every town they took each one without a fight. Islamists guerrillas operating the
References
- ^ "Mali's Azawad movements unite in a bid to pressure the ruling junta". Africanews. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Tuaregs from Northern Mali call for the 'fall of the junta'". RFI. 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ "Gunfire breaks out as Tuareg rebels enter northern Mali city". montrealgazette.com. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Tuareg-jihadists alliance: Qaeda conquers more than half of Mali". middle-east-online.com. 4 April 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Islamist group claims responsibility for Mali attack that killed 5". reuters.com. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ a b Comolli (2015), pp. 28, 103, 171.
- ^ "France confirms death of Islamist commander Abou Zeid". bbc.com. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ "L'Elysée et l'armée française ne confirment pas la mort d'Abou Zeid". lemonde.fr. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Al-Qaeda chief in north Africa Abdelmalek Droukdel killed – France". BBC News Online. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "French air strikes kill wanted Islamist militant 'Red Beard' in Mali". reuters.com. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
Works cited
- Comolli, Virginia (2015). Dwyer, Michael; Leitch, Daisy; May, Kathleen; Weisweiller-Wu, Lara; Arefin, Farhaana; Clarke, Alicia; Uselyté, Raminta (eds.). Boko Haram: Nigeria's Islamist Insurgency (1st ed.). London, UK: Hurst Publishers (C. Hurst & Co. Ltd.). ISBN 978-184904-491-2.