Battle of Anefis (May 2013)

Part of Mali War
| Date| May 17–18, 2013

|

Location|

Anefis, Mali

Result|

MNLA victory

* MAA claims to have captured the city briefly, but is forced to abandon it

Belligerents
MNLA|  MAA
Casualties and losses
16 killed (per HCUA)
3 killed (per MNLA)|  19 killed (per MNLA)

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Mali War

* Timeline
* ICC investigation

Tuareg rebellion (2012):

* 1st Ménaka
* 1st Aguelhok
* Tin-Hama
* In Emsal
* 1st Andéramboukane
* 1st Tessalit
* 1st Niafunké
* 1st Tinzaouaten
* Tinsalane
* 1st Goumakoura
* 1st Tessit
* Sudere
* 1st Kidal

2012 coup

* 2012 counter-coup attempt
* Djicoroni

Internal conflict in Azawad:

* 1st Timbuktu
* 1st Gao
* 1st In-Delimane
* Tagarangabotte
* 2nd Ménaka
* Khalil
* In Arab

Foreign intervention:

* Operation Serval
* AFISMA
* Chadian military intervention
* EUTM
* MINUSMA
* Konna
* 2nd Gao
* Diabaly
* 3rd Gao
* 4th Gao
* Ifoghas
* Panther
* 5th Gao
* In Khalil
* Timetrine
* 1st Kidal attack
* Imenas
* Tin Keraten
* Tigharghâr
* 1st Djebok
* 2nd Timbuktu
* 6th Gao
* 3rd Timbuktu
* 2nd Kidal attack
* 1st Ber
* Hamakouladji
* 1st Anéfis
* 2nd Anéfis
* Fooïta
* Douaya
* 2nd Tessalit
* Amazragane
* 1st Araouane
* 3rd Kidal attack

2014

* Kondaoui
* Tamkoutat
* 1st Ametettai
* Dayet
* Inabohane and Ebahlal
* 2nd Kidal
* 2nd Aguelhok
* 3rd Anéfis
* 1st Tabankort
* 2nd Indelimane
* 2nd Ametettai
* N'Tillit
* 2nd Tabankort

2015

* 1st Nampala
* Ténenkou
* 3rd Tabankort
* Tabrichat
* Bamako restaurant
* 4th Kidal attack
* 1st Léré
* Tin Telout
* Nara
* Takoumbaout
* Sama Forest
* 1st Gourma-Rharous
* Sévaré hotel
* 4th Anéfis
* Tiébanda
* Bamako hotel
* 5th Kidal attack
* 1st Talahandak

2016

* Wanna
* 3rd Aguelhok
* Sévaré
* 2nd Nampala
* 3rd Kidal
* Touzik
* Adjlal
* 2nd Goumakoura
* Kazay-Kazay

2017

* 6th Gao
* 1st Boulikessi
* 2nd Gourma-Rharous
* Foulsaré Forest
* 1st Dogofry
* 1st Serma Forest
* Bintagoungou
* Kangaba
* Inkadogotane
* 2nd Djebok
* Takellote
* 4th Timbuktu
* Tin Biden
* 3rd Indelimane

2018

* 4th In-Delimane
* Youwarou
* Soumpi
* Inaghalawass
* 2nd Araouane
* Akabar
* 5th Timbuktu
* Aklaz and Awkassa
* 1st Talataye
* Tabarde
* 1st Boni
* Inabelbel
* Soumouni
* 2nd Dogofry
* Ndaki
* 2nd Ber
* Farimake
* Tinabaw and Tabangout-Tissalatatene
* Abanguilou

2019

* Koulogon
* 2nd Serma Forest
* Taghatert and West Inekar
* 4th Aguelhok
* Elakla
* Dialloubé
* Diankabou
* 1st Dioura
* Ogossagou
* Tiésaba-Bourgou
* Guiré
* Sobane Da
* Gangafani and Yoro
* Fafa
* 2nd Boulikessi
* 5th In-Delimane
* 4th Tabankort
* 3rd Ménaka
* 1st Wagadou Forest

2020

* Dioungani
* Sokolo
* 1st Tarkint
* 1st Bamba
* 2nd Talahandak
* Bouka Weré
* Bankass
* Coup
* 1st Farabougou
* Sokoura
* 3rd Boulikessi
* Tadamakat
* Niaki

2021

* Wedding airstrike
* Boulikessi and Mondoro
* 2nd Boni
* 2nd Tessit
* 5th Aguelhok
* Coup
* 2nd Tarkint
* Karou and Ouatagouna
* Dangarous Forest
* Nokara
* Bodio
* Mopti

2022

* Archam
* Danguèrè Wotoro
* Mondoro
* Ménaka
* 2nd Andéramboukane
* 3rd Tessit
* 2nd Talataye
* Tadjalalt and Haroum
* Moura
* Hombori
* Mopti Region
* Diallassagou
* Bandiagara

2023

* Markacoungo
* Diafarabé and Koumara
* Kani Bonzon
* 5th Timbuktu
* 3rd Ber
* Tombouctou and Bamba
* Bourem
* 2nd Léré
* 2nd Dioura
* 2nd Bamba
* Kidal Region
* 4th Kidal
* 2nd Niafunké
* Labbezanga
* 2nd Farabougou

2024

* Kwala
* Douna
* 2nd Wagadou Forest
* Mourdiah
* Abeïbara
* Djiguibombo
* 2nd Tinzaouaten

Between May 17 and 18, 2013, the town of Anéfis, at the time controlled by the MNLA, was attacked by the Arab Movement of Azawad's pro-government faction. The MAA captured the town, but quickly abandoned it. The battle occurred amid high tensions between Kunta Arabs and Lemhar Arabs.

## Prelude

[edit]

The town of Anefis had been held by the MNLA since late January 2013, and the MNLA had around thirty vehicles in the town around that time. On April 24, the MNLA released a statement reporting a clash between the group and MOJWA in Anefis. MNLA spokesman Moussa Ag Attaher stated that MOJWA opened fire on an MNLA checkpoint in the town, causing a skirmish that lasted for a few minutes before the seven jihadists were killed.[1] The Malian government also reported this clash, but claimed it was the MNLA abusing civilians.[2][1] According to the Malian Army, a young Arab shopkeeper was targeted and shot by the MNLA along with his brothers, and in a separate incident a child was killed for holding a Malian flag.[3][4]

Clashes then continued the next day between Tilemsi Arabs and Kunta Arabs in Anefis, leaving six dead. These clashes erupted following the battle of Ber, with some of the Tilemsi and Kunta Arabs being tied to the MNLA and Arab Movement of Azawad.[1]

## Battle

[edit]

The MNLA released a statement on May 17 stating that MOJWA fighters had been spotted ten kilometers from Anefis, and the MNLA dispatched fighters to counter it. The MOJWA attack was confirmed by relatives of Anefis residents speaking to the Windsor Star. MNLA spokesman Ibrahim Mohamed Ag Assaleh also stated that the jihadists were neutralized by French airstrikes, but this was not confirmed in the MNLA's press release which stated that the jihadists were able to escape before the airstrikes.[2]

MOJWA released a statement denying involvement in Anefis, with the Arab Movement of Azawad instead claiming responsibility that evening, and also claimed to have captured Anefis in their attack.[5] The Malian Army corroborated the MAA's statements.[5] MISMA stated that Anefis was bombed by French forces on May 18 following the capture of Anefis by the MAA, leading to the city's desertion by the Arabs. The French Army denied involvement at Anefis, however.[5][6]

The MNLA released another press release on May 21 claiming to have discovered black flags, recordings planning the attack, and more paraphernalia and weaponry indicating MOJWA or jihadist involvement in the attack. They also claimed to have presented the equipment to French forces in Kidal.[2] It is possible both MOJWA and MAA-aligned fighters were involved in the attack, as the battle of Anefis took place amid violent tensions between the MNLA-aligned Kunta Arabs and the Lemhar Arabs, who are aligned with MOJWA or the Arab Movement of Azawad.[7][8]

## Aftermath

[edit]

The MNLA claimed to have killed nineteen jihadists during the battle, destroying one vehicle and capturing another. They also claimed that three of their fighters were killed, and two were injured.[2] MAA spokesman Mohamed Ould Ramadane stated the MNLA had several casualties, and that eight MNLA vehicles were destroyed.[5] The High Council for the Unity of Azawad stated on May 21 that sixteen MNLA fighters were killed. Four of those killed were relatives of Mohamed Ag Intalla, and two were relatives of Cheikh Ag Aoussa.[9]

By the time Malian forces attacked the city in June, the MNLA was in control of the city again.[10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Mali - Affrontement entre Arabes Kounta et arabes du Tilemsi à Anefis" (in French). Archived from the original on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
2. ^ a b c d "Actualités". www.mnlamov.net. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
3. ^ Makadji, Mamadou (May 1, 2013). "Le MNLA tue 4 Arabes à Anefis". Maliactu. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
4. ^ "Wayback Machine". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
5. ^ a b c d "Wayback Machine". Retrieved 2024-03-07.[dead link]
6. ^ "Mali: pas de raid français à Anéfis contre le Mouvement arabe de l'Azawad". lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-07.
7. ^ "Ahmed al-Tilemsi: portrait d'un "des principaux financiers du Mujao"". RFI (in French). 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
8. ^ "Mali – Yero Ould Daha : " Le Mujao nous protégeait du MNLA " - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-07.
9. ^ "arawanexpress.com - This website is for sale! - arawanexpress Resources and Information". archive.wikiwix.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2024-03-07. `{{cite web}}`: Cite uses generic title (help)
10. ^ "L'armée malienne prend Anefis au MNLA, dernier village avant Kidal". RFI (in French). 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2024-03-07.

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