Movement for the Salvation of Azawad

The Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (French: Mouvement pour le salut de l'Azawad; abbreviated MSA) is a Tuareg political movement and armed group in Azawad, Mali. It was founded on 2 September 2016 by Moussa Ag Acharatoumane.[2]

Movement for the Salvation of Azawad
Mouvement pour le salut de l'Azawad
LeadersMoussa Ag Acharatoumane
(founder)
Assalat Ag Habi
(military commander)
Dates of operation2 September 2016 (2016-09-02) – present
Active regionsGao Region, Kidal Region
IdeologyTuareg nationalism
Secularism
Political positionAzawad self-determination
Size3,000[1]
AlliesState allies
  • {{country data France}

{Bangladesh|flag/core|name=France} {Bangladesh|variant|size}}

Non-state allies

Opponents Al-Qaeda

 ISIL

  • Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
Battles and warsNorthern Mali conflict
Flag

History

The MSA was founded on 2 September 2016[2] in Tin-Fadimata, north of Ménaka, by former members of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).[3]

With French support, a joint-operation was conducted by the MSA and the Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (or GATIA) on 23 February 2018 to capture or kill Malian ISIL commander Abu Walid al-Sahrawi. Six ISIL militants were killed in the ensuing clashes, but Sahrawi evaded capture.[4]

MSA and GATIA troops battled ISIL militants from 2 to 5 June 2018. ISIL commanders Almahmoud Ag Akawkaw was captured, while Amat Ag Assalate was killed during the battle.[5]

References

  1. "Mali: le Mouvement pour le salut de l'Azawad, nouveau groupe politico-militaire - RFI". RFI Afrique (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. Carayol, Rémi (8 September 2016). "Mali – Moussa Ag Acharatoumane : « Nous avons créé le MSA pour représenter tous les Azawadiens »". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  3. Carayol, Rémi (2 September 2016). "Mali : le MNLA une nouvelle fois amputé". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. "Tuareg militias battle Islamic State-loyal militants in northern Mali - FDD's Long War Journal". 25 February 2018.
  5. "Une alliance Touareg revendique plus d'opérations contre l'EI dans le Grand Sahara dans le nord du Mali". Intellivoire (in French). 5 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
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