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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 | |
 | |
| Leaders | Moussa Ag Acharatoumane (founder) Assalat Ag Habi (military commander) |
| Dates of operation | 2 September 2016 – present |
| Split from | National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) |
| Active regions | Gao Region, Kidal Region |
| Ideology | Tuareg nationalism Secularism |
| Political position | Azawad self-determination |
| Size | 3,000[1] |
| Allies | State allies
Non-state allies |
| Opponents |  Al-Qaeda
|
| Battles and wars | Northern Mali conflict |
| Flag |  |
History edit
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 Al-Sahrawi survived and evaded capture.[4]
MSA and GATIA troops battled ISIL militants from 2 to 5 June 2018. ISIL commander Almahmoud Ag Akawkaw was captured, while Amat Ag Assalate was killed during the battle.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Mali: le Mouvement pour le salut de l'Azawad, nouveau groupe politico-militaire - RFI". RFI Afrique (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Carayol, Rémi (2 September 2016). "Mali : le MNLA une nouvelle fois amputé". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ^ "Tuareg militias battle Islamic State-loyal militants in northern Mali - FDD's Long War Journal". 25 February 2018.
- ^ "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.