Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies

Pro-government armed group in Mali

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Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies

Groupe d'autodéfense touareg Imghad et alliés
Leaders| El Hadj Ag Gamou
(military commander)
Fahad Ag Almahmoud
(secretary general)
Dates of operation| 14 August 2014 (2014-08-14) – 2024
Headquarters| Somewhere between the Gao and Kidal regions
Active regions| Gao Region, Kidal Region
Ideology| Imghad Tuareg interests
Political position| Pro-Malian government; Malian sovereignty over Azawad
Size| 500–1,000[1]
Part of| Platform of Self-Defense Movements
Allies| State allies

* Mali
* Malian Army
* France
* French Army
* Turkey
* Turkish Land Forces

Non-state allies

* Arab Movement of Azawad
* Movement for the Salvation of Azawad

Opponents|  Al-Qaeda

* JNIM

ISIL

* ISSP

Battles and wars| Mali War

* Azawad conflict
* Battle of In-Delimane
* Battle of Tabarde
* Ménaka offensive

Flag|

Succeeded by
Azawad Liberation Front

The Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (French: Groupe d'autodéfense touareg Imghad et alliés, abbreviated GATIA) was an armed group in Azawad, Mali. Most of its 500 to 1,000 fighters[1] were Imghad Tuaregs, and the group supports the Malian government.[2]

## History

[edit]

GATIA was founded on 14 August 2014[3] as a self-defense group of armed locals, in response to the Malian Army's total defeat in the 2nd Battle of Kidal on 21 May 2014 by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).[4]

In collaboration with French forces, GATIA and the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) launched a joint-operation on 23 February 2018 to capture or kill Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the ISIL commander in Mali. Al-Sahrawi survived and managed to evade capture, but six ISIL militants were killed in the clashes.[5]

GATIA-MSA forces clashed with ISIL militants from 2 to 5 June 2018. ISIL commander Almahmoud Ag Akawkaw was captured, while Amat Ag Assalate was killed during the battle.[6]

On December 1, 2024, a former commander of GATIA, Fahad Ag Almahmoud, was assassinated in a drone strike by the Malian army.[7]

## Ideology

[edit]

GATIA is a pro-Malian government group and is generally opposed to the MNLA and an independent Azawad.[2][3]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Ahmed, Baba (29 April 2016). "Mali : le business du cantonnement ? – JeuneAfrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 9 June 2018.
2. ^ a b "Nord du Mali: naissance d'un groupe armé opposé à l'autodétermination - RFI". RFI Afrique (in French). Retrieved 9 June 2018.
3. ^ a b "Un nouveau groupe armé créé par des Touareg dans le nord du Mali Bamako Mali". AFP via Malijet (in French). Retrieved 9 June 2018.
4. ^ "Mali: Kidal aux mains des rebelles, appel présidentiel au cessez-le-feu". ladepeche.fr (in French). 22 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
5. ^ "Tuareg militias battle Islamic State-loyal militants in northern Mali - FDD's Long War Journal". 25 February 2018.
6. ^ "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.
7. ^ "Afrique Mali: frappes de drone à Tinzaouatène après la création d'une nouvelle coalition séparatiste". Radio France International (in French). 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.