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Arab Movement of Azawad

October 30, 2023

The Arab Movement of Azawad (Arabic: الحركة العربية الأزوادية, French: Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad; MAA) is an Arab military organization active in Azawad/northern Mali. Initially known as the National Liberation Front of Azawad (French: Front de libération nationale de l'Azawad; FLNA), it was formed in early 2012, during the 2012 Tuareg rebellion. The MAA claims to be a secular, non-terrorist organization, whose main objective is to defend the interests of the Arab peoples of northern Mali.[2] It is reportedly willing to "work with France against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime" in the region.[3] The group calls for granting substantial autonomy to northern Mali.[3]

Arab Movement of Azawad
الحركة العربية الأزوادية
Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad
Flag used by the movement
LeadersAhmed Ould Sidi Muhammad (General Secretary)
Hussein Ould Ghulam (Chief of Staff)[1]
Dates of operationEarly 2012 – present
Active regionsAzawad/northern Mali
IdeologySecular Arab nationalism
Autonomy of Azawad
Size500 - 600 (claimed)
Part of Azawad
OpponentsAnsar Dine
National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad
 Turkey
 Mali
Battles and warsNorthern Mali conflict

History edit

The MAA was formed as the National Liberation Front of Azawad (FLNA) in early 2012. It was largely composed of Arab militia fighters who had organized to defend Timbuktu during the advance by the forces of the Tuareg National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the Islamist Ansar Dine against the city. The new group claimed to oppose both the independence of Azawad from Mali and the imposition of sharia law in the region.[4] After Timbuktu fell to the rebels on April 1, 2012, the FLNA briefly occupied the city in turn on April 27, but departed after Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, a leading member of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), issued a demand for them to leave.[5]

The FLNA initially had difficulty securing support among the Arab Berabiche Moor community in northern Mali; its leaders were attacked for being involved in the drug smuggling trade in northern Mali, and for being partially responsible for the escalation of violence in the region. They were also accused of helping AQIM in their takeover of Timbuktu. The FLNA nevertheless continued its operations in northern Mali, acting independently of both the MNLA and the Islamists, and subsequently changed its name to the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA).[6]

In December 2012, the MAA claimed to have a "very good relationship" with the Tuareg MNLA in spite of "small differences" between the two organizations,[1] but by the following year both groups were openly hostile to one another. On February 23, 2013, the MAA attacked the MNLA in the town of al-Khalil, near Tessalit; it also accused MNLA soldiers of having seized the vehicles of Arabs in the region, emptying their shops and raping women.[7] On February 24, the French Air Force launched airstrikes against MAA targets, which reportedly injured five MAA soldiers and destroyed five of their vehicles. An MAA spokesman responded by denouncing the intervention, characterizing the French action as providing "open support" to the MNLA.[8]

In early April 2013, the MAA participated in a conference which brought together the leaders of various Arab groups and clans in Azawad. The conference, which was held in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott, ended with the formation of a new organization, the Convergence of Arab Movements and Associations for the Unity and Development of Azawad, which was tasked with representing the interests of all Arab communities in the region. The head of the MAA was appointed as a member of the board of the Convergence.[9]

On April 21, 2013, the MAA occupied the town of Ber, approximately 50 kilometers north of Timbuktu.[10] Arab fighters returned to the town on May 5; they looted shops and houses and then departed. The MAA denied responsibility for this second incident and claimed that the looters were acting contrary to orders.[11] On May 17, the MAA claimed to have entered Anefis, to the southwest of Kidal, after a clash with MNLA fighters. Intervention by the French military, however, forced the MAA to depart by the following day.[12] The MNLA rejected this version of events, claiming instead that the combatants who entered Anefis were members of the Islamist Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO).[13]

Sidi Brahim Ould Sidati is assassinated in Bamako on April 13, 2021.[14]

Organization and strength edit

The MAA is led by a Secretary General; as of April 2013, this office was held by Ahmed Ould Sidi Muhammad.[15] An MAA spokesman stated in December 2012 that the organization's structure also contained an executive council, an advisory council and a chief of staff.[1]

The MAA claims to have a strength of 500 men; many of its officers are deserters from the Malian Army.[16] The movement has two strongholds in northern Mali, the first being Tilemsi near Mauritania and the second being Tinafareg near Algeria.[2]

Relationship with local Islamists edit

The MAA has repeatedly claimed to be a secular organization, opposed to Islamist groups operating in northern Mali.[17][2] Outside knowledge of motivations of the movement, however, remains relatively obscure,[18] and the group has been accused in the past of collaborating with the Islamist AQIM. Wolfram Lacher, an analyst of the Mali conflict, noted that the leaders of the FNLA/MAA had close family and commercial ties with AQIM, and concluded that "it is doubtful whether [the MAA] would be willing and able to confront AQIM."[6]

As part of the dispute between the MNLA and the MAA, the MNLA has accused the latter of being an ally with the Islamist Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), to the point where there is no real distinction between the two groups.[18] This claim has been rejected by Salem Beghi, an officer of MAA, who stated in March 2013 that the MAA has previously engaged in battles with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and MUJAO "terrorists" and claimed that the MAA has always fought against terrorist organizations in northern Mali.[19]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Entretien avec Mohamed Ould Ramadane ,le Secrétaire aux relations extérieures du Mouvement Arabe de l'Azawad (M.A.A)". Desert-press. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Andrew McGregor. "French Cooperation With Tuareg Rebels Risks Arab Rising In Northern Mali". Jamestown. The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Mali: un mouvement d'Arabes dit combattre des rebelles touareg dans le Nord". Mali Actualités. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  4. ^ Bate Felix and Adama Diarra (10 April 2012). "New north Mali Arab force seeks to "defend" Timbuktu". Reuters. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  5. ^ "New Mali militia leaves Timbuktu to 'avoid bloodbath'". Al Arabiya News. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  6. ^ a b Wolfram Lacher. "Organized Crime and Conflict in the Sahel-Sahara Region". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  7. ^ . Sahel Press Reviews. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  8. ^ "French bomb Islamists in Mali, 'four wounded'". AFP. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Mali Arabs attempt to unify". News24. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  10. ^ "Arab militants seize town in northeastern Mali". Middle East Online. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  11. ^ "Mali: des soldats maliens et burkinabè à Ber, après des affrontements entre Arabes et Touaregs". RFI. 6 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Mali: l'armée française chasse un groupe armé d'une ville du nord-est". AFP. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Mali - L'aviation française intervient contre le Mouvement arabe de l'Azawad à Anéfis". Maghreb Emergent. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  14. ^ "Mali ex-rebels say prominent leader Ould Sidati shot dead". France 24. 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  15. ^ "Le Mouvement Arabe de l'Azawad: la France noue une alliance "non sacrée" avec le MNLA". Alakhbar. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Mali : le Mouvement arabe de l'Azawad ne fait pas l'unanimité autour de lui". RFI. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  17. ^ . Malikounda. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  18. ^ a b "Mali : Le mouvement des arabes de l'Azawad prétend avoir attaqué les rebelles touareg". Opex 360. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  19. ^ . Le Temps d'Algérie. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.

October 30, 2023
arab, movement, azawad, arabic, الحركة, العربية, الأزوادية, french, mouvement, arabe, azawad, arab, military, organization, active, azawad, northern, mali, initially, known, national, liberation, front, azawad, french, front, libération, nationale, azawad, fln. The Arab Movement of Azawad Arabic الحركة العربية الأزوادية French Mouvement arabe de l Azawad MAA is an Arab military organization active in Azawad northern Mali Initially known as the National Liberation Front of Azawad French Front de liberation nationale de l Azawad FLNA it was formed in early 2012 during the 2012 Tuareg rebellion The MAA claims to be a secular non terrorist organization whose main objective is to defend the interests of the Arab peoples of northern Mali 2 It is reportedly willing to work with France against terrorism drug trafficking and organized crime in the region 3 The group calls for granting substantial autonomy to northern Mali 3 Arab Movement of Azawadالحركة العربية الأزوادية Mouvement arabe de l AzawadFlag used by the movementLeadersAhmed Ould Sidi Muhammad General Secretary Hussein Ould Ghulam Chief of Staff 1 Dates of operationEarly 2012 presentActive regionsAzawad northern MaliIdeologySecular Arab nationalismAutonomy of AzawadSize500 600 claimed Part of AzawadOpponentsAnsar DineNational Movement for the Liberation of Azawad Turkey MaliBattles and warsNorthern Mali conflict Tuareg rebellion 2012 Contents 1 History 2 Organization and strength 3 Relationship with local Islamists 4 See also 5 ReferencesHistory editThe MAA was formed as the National Liberation Front of Azawad FLNA in early 2012 It was largely composed of Arab militia fighters who had organized to defend Timbuktu during the advance by the forces of the Tuareg National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad MNLA and the Islamist Ansar Dine against the city The new group claimed to oppose both the independence of Azawad from Mali and the imposition of sharia law in the region 4 After Timbuktu fell to the rebels on April 1 2012 the FLNA briefly occupied the city in turn on April 27 but departed after Abdelhamid Abou Zeid a leading member of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb AQIM issued a demand for them to leave 5 The FLNA initially had difficulty securing support among the Arab Berabiche Moor community in northern Mali its leaders were attacked for being involved in the drug smuggling trade in northern Mali and for being partially responsible for the escalation of violence in the region They were also accused of helping AQIM in their takeover of Timbuktu The FLNA nevertheless continued its operations in northern Mali acting independently of both the MNLA and the Islamists and subsequently changed its name to the Arab Movement of Azawad MAA 6 In December 2012 the MAA claimed to have a very good relationship with the Tuareg MNLA in spite of small differences between the two organizations 1 but by the following year both groups were openly hostile to one another On February 23 2013 the MAA attacked the MNLA in the town of al Khalil near Tessalit it also accused MNLA soldiers of having seized the vehicles of Arabs in the region emptying their shops and raping women 7 On February 24 the French Air Force launched airstrikes against MAA targets which reportedly injured five MAA soldiers and destroyed five of their vehicles An MAA spokesman responded by denouncing the intervention characterizing the French action as providing open support to the MNLA 8 In early April 2013 the MAA participated in a conference which brought together the leaders of various Arab groups and clans in Azawad The conference which was held in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott ended with the formation of a new organization the Convergence of Arab Movements and Associations for the Unity and Development of Azawad which was tasked with representing the interests of all Arab communities in the region The head of the MAA was appointed as a member of the board of the Convergence 9 On April 21 2013 the MAA occupied the town of Ber approximately 50 kilometers north of Timbuktu 10 Arab fighters returned to the town on May 5 they looted shops and houses and then departed The MAA denied responsibility for this second incident and claimed that the looters were acting contrary to orders 11 On May 17 the MAA claimed to have entered Anefis to the southwest of Kidal after a clash with MNLA fighters Intervention by the French military however forced the MAA to depart by the following day 12 The MNLA rejected this version of events claiming instead that the combatants who entered Anefis were members of the Islamist Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa MUJAO 13 Sidi Brahim Ould Sidati is assassinated in Bamako on April 13 2021 14 Organization and strength editThe MAA is led by a Secretary General as of April 2013 this office was held by Ahmed Ould Sidi Muhammad 15 An MAA spokesman stated in December 2012 that the organization s structure also contained an executive council an advisory council and a chief of staff 1 The MAA claims to have a strength of 500 men many of its officers are deserters from the Malian Army 16 The movement has two strongholds in northern Mali the first being Tilemsi near Mauritania and the second being Tinafareg near Algeria 2 Relationship with local Islamists editThe MAA has repeatedly claimed to be a secular organization opposed to Islamist groups operating in northern Mali 17 2 Outside knowledge of motivations of the movement however remains relatively obscure 18 and the group has been accused in the past of collaborating with the Islamist AQIM Wolfram Lacher an analyst of the Mali conflict noted that the leaders of the FNLA MAA had close family and commercial ties with AQIM and concluded that it is doubtful whether the MAA would be willing and able to confront AQIM 6 As part of the dispute between the MNLA and the MAA the MNLA has accused the latter of being an ally with the Islamist Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa MUJAO to the point where there is no real distinction between the two groups 18 This claim has been rejected by Salem Beghi an officer of MAA who stated in March 2013 that the MAA has previously engaged in battles with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and MUJAO terrorists and claimed that the MAA has always fought against terrorist organizations in northern Mali 19 See also edit nbsp Africa portalAzawad Arab Islamic Front of Azawad National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad Ansar Dine Azawadi declaration of independence Jama at Nasr al Islam wal Muslimin Niger Movement for Justice Northern Mali conflict Popular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad Tuareg rebellion 1962 1964 Tuareg rebellion 1990 1995 Tuareg rebellion 2007 2009 Tuareg rebellion 2012 Battle of KhalilReferences edit a b c Entretien avec Mohamed Ould Ramadane le Secretaire aux relations exterieures du Mouvement Arabe de l Azawad M A A Desert press Archived from the original on 16 June 2013 Retrieved 28 April 2013 a b c Andrew McGregor French Cooperation With Tuareg Rebels Risks Arab Rising In Northern Mali Jamestown The Jamestown Foundation Retrieved 23 April 2013 a b Mali un mouvement d Arabes dit combattre des rebelles touareg dans le Nord Mali Actualites 23 February 2013 Retrieved 28 April 2013 Bate Felix and Adama Diarra 10 April 2012 New north Mali Arab force seeks to defend Timbuktu Reuters Retrieved 28 April 2013 New Mali militia leaves Timbuktu to avoid bloodbath Al Arabiya News 28 April 2012 Retrieved 28 April 2013 a b Wolfram Lacher Organized Crime and Conflict in the Sahel Sahara Region Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Retrieved 28 April 2013 MNLA attacked by Azawad Arab Movement Sahel Press Reviews Archived from the original on 9 November 2013 Retrieved 28 April 2013 French bomb Islamists in Mali four wounded AFP Retrieved 23 April 2013 Mali Arabs attempt to unify News24 Retrieved 28 April 2013 Arab militants seize town in northeastern Mali Middle East Online Retrieved 28 April 2013 Mali des soldats maliens et burkinabe a Ber apres des affrontements entre Arabes et Touaregs RFI 6 May 2013 Retrieved 20 May 2013 Mali l armee francaise chasse un groupe arme d une ville du nord est AFP Retrieved 20 May 2013 Mali L aviation francaise intervient contre le Mouvement arabe de l Azawad a Anefis Maghreb Emergent Archived from the original on 16 June 2013 Retrieved 20 May 2013 Mali ex rebels say prominent leader Ould Sidati shot dead France 24 2021 04 13 Retrieved 2023 10 08 Le Mouvement Arabe de l Azawad la France noue une alliance non sacree avec le MNLA Alakhbar Retrieved 28 April 2013 Mali le Mouvement arabe de l Azawad ne fait pas l unanimite autour de lui RFI 26 February 2013 Retrieved 28 April 2013 Mali constitution de milices au nord comme au sud Malikounda Archived from the original on 28 April 2014 Retrieved 28 April 2013 a b Mali Le mouvement des arabes de l Azawad pretend avoir attaque les rebelles touareg Opex 360 24 February 2013 Retrieved 28 April 2013 C est le MNLA qui a ramene les groupes terroristes au nord du Mali Le Temps d Algerie Archived from the original on 6 April 2013 Retrieved 28 April 2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arab Movement of Azawad amp oldid 1179316394, wikipedia, wiki, 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