Northern Mali Conflict (2012-)

On 16 January 2012, several insurgent groups began fighting a campaign against the Malian government for independence or greater autonomy for northern Mali, an area known as Azawad. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), an organization fighting to make Azawad an independent homeland for the Tuareg people, had taken control of the region by April 2012.

On 22 March 2012, President Amadou Toumani Touré was ousted in a coup d'état over his handling of the crisis. As a consequence of the instability following the coup, Mali's three largest northern cities—Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu—were overrun by the rebels on three consecutive days. On 5 April 2012, after the capture of Douentza, the MNLA said that it had accomplished its goals and called off its offensive. The following day, it proclaimed Azawad's independence from Mali. However, by 17 July 2012, the MNLA had lost control of most of northern Mali's cities to their formerly allied Islamists.

The government of Mali asked for foreign military help to re-take the north. On 11 January 2013, the French military began operations against the Islamists. Forces from other African Union states were deployed shortly after. By 8 February, the Islamist-held territory had been re-taken by the Malian military, with help from the international coalition. Tuareg separatists have continued to fight the Islamists as well, although the MNLA has also been accused of carrying out attacks against the Malian military.

A peace deal between the government and Tuareg rebels was signed on 18 June 2013 but on 26 September 2013 the rebels pulled out of the peace agreement and claimed that the government hadn't respected its commitments to the truce. Fighting is still ongoing even though French forces are scheduled for withdrawal.

Memorial Ceremony for Burkinabé Blue Helmets in Bamako, Mali, 2014

Taken on: 2014-08-21
Source: MINUSMA/Marco Dormino/Flickr

MINUSMA Peacekeeper Patrols Site of Mixed Commission Meeting, Bamako Mali, 2013

Taken on: 2013-07-22
Source: UN Photo/Marco Dormino/Flickr

Blue Helmets from Senegal

Taken on: 2013-07-17
Source: MINUSMA/Blagoje Grujic/Flickr

Blue Helmets from Benin 02

Taken on: 2013-07-17
Source: MINUSMA/Blagoje Grujic/Flickr

UN Peacekeepers on Patrol; Kidal,Senegal, July 2013

Taken on: 2013-07-17
Source: MINUSMA/Blagoje Grujic/Flickr

Checkpoint in Kidal

Taken on: 2013-07-17
Source: MINUSMA/Blagoje Grujic/Flickr

Blue Helmets from Benin in Kidal

Taken on: 2013-07-17
Source: MINUSMA/Blagoje Grujic/Flickr

Soldiers in Kidal

Taken on: 2013-07-11
Source: MINUSMA / Blagoje Grujic

Irish and British Soldiers Training Malian Soldiers

Taken on: 2013-05-01
Source: Cpl Lu Scott/UK MoD

French Forces on Patrol in Gao Mali, April 2013

Taken on: 2013-04-15
Source: VOA

Islamist Fighter on Technical, Timbuktu Mali, February 2012

Taken on: 2013-02-08
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia

French Mirage Aircraft Refuels Over Africa, En Route to Mali, 2013

Taken on: 2013-02-02
Source: U.S. Airforce

ICRC distribute emergency aid, Mali

Taken on: 2013-01-24
Source: ICRC

French Troops Arrive in Bamako to Re-take Northern Mali, 2013

Taken on: 2013-01-18
Source: Idrissa Fall/VOA

AQIM Tuareg Fighter, Northern Mali, November 2012

Taken on: 2012-11-30
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia

Jihadists in Mali, Northern Mali, November 2012

Taken on: 2012-11-28
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia

Pro-Government Militiamen Training in Central Mali, 2012

Taken on: 2012-10-08
Source: VOA/Anne Look

Pro-Government Militiamen Training in Central Mali, 2012

Taken on: 2012-10-08
Source: Anne Look/VOA

Malian Civilians Rally Against Ansar Al-Din, Timbuktu Mali, October 2012

Taken on: 2012-10-01
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia

A Tuareg Technical in Northern Mali, 2012

Taken on: 2012-07-26
Source: Idrissa Fall/Wikipedia

Ansar Dine Technical in Northern Mali, 2012

Taken on: 2012-07-26
Source: VoA via Wikipedia

Islamist Fighters in Northern Mali, 2012

Taken on: 2012-07-26
Source: Idrissa Fall/VOA

Secessionists Pose with Azawad flag, Northern Mali, May 2012

Taken on: 2012-05-21
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia

Islamist Convoy near Mauritania Border, Northern Mali, May 2012

Taken on: 2012-05-21
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia

Touareg Rebels

Taken on: 2012-04-06
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharabia

Azawad Touaregs

Taken on: 2012-01-26
Source: Magharebia

Tuareg Secessionists, Northern Mali, January 2012

Taken on: 2012-01-01
Source: Jemal Oumar/Magharebia