Second Battle of Ménaka
Second Battle of Ménaka | |||||||
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Part of the Northern Mali conflict | |||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() Menaka Second Battle of Ménaka (Mali) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
500 (two brigades) 60–70 volunteers 60 technicals | 800–1,000 militants 41 technicals | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
13 killed 40 wounded 15 captured 1 technical destroyed[2] | 23 killed 26 wounded 6 technicals destroyed[2] |
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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
- 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
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
- 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
- Mourdiah
- Abeïbara
- Djiguibombo
- 2nd Tinzaouaten
The Second Battle of Ménaka was the last battle fought by the state of Azawad, as they were defeated by an Islamist coalition.
Background
On 16 November 2012, during the MNLA (Movement for the National Liberation of Azawad)[3] failed offensive to reclaim its former city-base of Gao recently taken by Islamists groups, Islamists launch a counter-attack of their own targeted at the MNLA stronghold of Ménaka, north of Gao, the last bastion under MNLA control.[2] At approximately 11 A.M, two brigades under the command of MNLA Deputy Chief of Staff Machkanani Ag Balla and Colonel Sidi Ag Moulya Molla ambushed a squadron of MOJWA rebels en route to Ménaka. The ambush took place in Tagarangabotte, on the road between Ansongo and Ménaka. The column of vehicles destined for Ménaka is temporarily subdued in fierce fighting with MNLA troops. The Islamists column is forced to turn back however proves insufficient in stopping their offensive.[3] Overall casualties were deplored at nine MNLA troops' wounded some with serious injuries, including Colonel Ag Mechkanine a deputy Staff. MOJWA casualties were 13 dead, 17 injured and three technicals disabled.[4] The same day another battle between the MNLA and Islamists elements occurs in the village of Idelimane 80 kilometers from Ménaka. The MNLA which apparently occupied Idelimane was attacked by two combat forces of MOJWA, the Osama Bin Laden brigade led by Abu Walid Sahraoui and the Al-Mouthalimin (the turbaned) brigade led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar. Both brigades amounted to over 300 men and 16 technicals many equipped with heavy artillery. Heavy fighting in the area is reported throughout the day. On 17 November, Islamists (AQIM) reinforcements arrive from Gao raising the number to well over 1,000 versus 500 per MNLA. On 18 November, MNLA forces are routed. Casualties included 1 MNLA member killed, four others injured. MOJWA casualties amounted to 3 dead, six others injured.
Battle
On 19 November, following its victory against the MNLA at the Battle of Idelimane, MUJAO continues its push and attacks the city of Menaka. As the Malian army was no longer present in Menaka, the city was defended by a militia of 60 to 70 Tuaregs of the tribe of the Oulimeden. In its press releases, the MNLA asserts that the city was defended by its troops, and MUJAO considered to have fought the MNLA in Menaka. However, these statements are contradicted by Bajan Ag Hamatou, deputy of the city and chief of the tribe of the Oulimeden: "the MNLA can say what it wants. I know that those who faced MUJAO did not do so on behalf of the MNLA. They did it because they see it as their duty to their country and their families." According to him, the defenders were young Tuaregs of the National Guard. Contacted by RFI, he indicates that the defenders of Menaka are inhabitants of the city, who were "associated with the MNLA lately".
Faced with unequal forces, Tuareg militiamen decided to call in support MNLA fighters who had 60 vehicles in the area. When contacted, the MLNA promised reinforcements. The local Tuareg militia set up their line of defense on a large dune, in front of the entrance to the city, near the Guards Camp. The attackers were numbered at 300 led by Omar Ould Hamaha, leader of MOJWA. The attack begins at 11am, with a column of 26 vehicles who are exposed and engaged in a confrontation with militiamen. Three Islamists technicals are disabled. Reinforcements help relieve tension amidst the column and bombard the MNLA defenses with rocket launchers, mortars, and heavy weaponry.
Fighting lasted all day until 10pm, the battle in a deadlock. Six MNLA members are killed during fighting in mid-day, and six others are wounded. The dead included two prominent MNLA Colonels. Ag Alwadihat chairman of the Ménaka township and Alwabégat Ag Salakatou a political leader in the region worsening aspects of morale among the Movement. Fifteen to fifty Islamists were reportedly transported and hospitalized in Gao. A significant portion of the civilian population flees. Fighting resumes the next morning on 20 November, with Islamists penetrating MNLA defenses and substantially gaining ground.
The MNLA was routed leaving the local militia to fend for themselves. The MOJWA claims Victory a few hours later. In the final assessment 7 Tuareg militiamen are killed along with 3 MNLA members, 33 others are wounded, and 15 are taken as prisoner. In addition large numbers of the militia defected to Ansar Dine.[5][6][7][8]
Aftermath
On 21 November, in an official statement issued by Moussa Ag Assarid, the MNLA states that the fighting in Menaka is 6 dead and 6 wounded for its troops, compared with 36 killed by the MUJAO and AQIM forces. A member of MUJAO also stated: "After several days of fighting, MUJAO, supported by elements of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, chased the MNLA from Menaka. And we were able to count on the field the bodies of about 70 MNLA fighters". The jihadist commander Omar Ould Hamaha, for his part, says he does not know "the exact number of dead in the ranks of the MNLA" but adds: "our elements have counted more than a hundred. We have a lot of prisoners with us too. They will all be subjected to sharia. According to Human Rights Watch sources in Gao, MUJAO took 6 to 15 prisoners in Menaka. In early December 2012, hundreds of fighters from the tribe of the Ulysseden, furious to have been abandoned by the MNLA in Menaka, decided to join Ansar Dine."[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
References
- ^ "Tuareg fighters attack Mali town". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ a b c "Press Release No 3". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ a b Reuters[dead link]
- ^ "IOL - News for South Africa and the world". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ RFI (19 November 2012). "Mali: les hommes du Mujao s'emparent de Ménaka - RFI". Rfi.fr. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ RFI (20 November 2012). "Mali: Ménaka, la ville défaite - RFI". Rfi.fr. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Ceux qui ont défendu Ménaka, contre le MNLA et le MUJAO, sont des touareg natifs de la ville et membres de la Garde nationaleL'honorable Bajan Ag Hamatou, député de Ménaka". Bamada.net. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Touareg : "Que le Diable descende du ciel pour arrêter ça !"". Grands Reporters. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ RFI (20 November 2012). "Mali: MNLA et Mujao se déchirent pour prendre Ménaka - RFI". Rfi.fr. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Actualités". Mnlamov.net. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ Écrit par Ahmeyede Ag Ilkamassene (19 November 2012). "Reprises des combats entre le MNLA et les groupes terroristes AQMI, et MUJAO autour de Ménaka (2)". Toumast Press. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "De grandes dissidences au sein du MNLA". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ "Ménaka : Le MNLA délogé de son dernier bastion #aBamako". News.abamako.com. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ Masin. "Affrontements de Ménaka : le MNLA assiège la ville. - TAMAZGHA le site berbériste". Tamazgha.fr. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Mali: toute la journée, des combats ont opposé le Mujao et le MNLA pour le contrôle de Ménaka - RFI". Rfi.fr. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
15°55′00″N 2°24′00″E / 15.9167°N 2.4000°E / 15.9167; 2.4000