In March 2022, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) launched an offensive in the Ménaka Region of eastern Mali, held predominantly by pro-government Tuareg militias.[2] By April, ISGS fighters had killed 300 to 500 civilians in Ménaka region, mainly Tuaregs.[3] ISGS captured Andéramboukane on March 12, and the town, previously populated by around 20,000 residents, became a "ghost town."[4][5][6]
By May, the ISGS offensive had stalled, although they still controlled a swath of territory by the Malian border, including Andéramboukane and the surrounding towns of Infoukeraten, Tadjalalt, Ichinanane, and Tamalat.[7] Around the end of May, ISGS went on the offensive again, attacking the towns of Aghazraghen Igadou, Emis-Emis, and Inekar, east of the regional capital of Ménaka.[6][7] These attacks failed, and prompted GATIA and the MSA to prepare for a counter-attack on Andéramboukane.[8][9]
Prior to the Tuareg offensive, the Malian Army had been relatively inactive in the region, with only a mainly-Tuareg group called GTIA 8 being present in the area. GTIA 8 was commanded by El Hadj Ag Gamou, the overall commander of GATIA, and many GTIA 8 troops had close ties with GATIA.[6][8]
On June 4, GATIA and MSA forces entered Andéramboukane without a fight, capturing the city.[7][8] However, France24 alleged the jihadists knew about the Tuareg incursion beforehand, and let them enter the city.[9] The next morning, ISGS began a counter-attack on the town.[6] GATIA and the MSA left the city to pursue the IS fighters, but were ambushed in Tadjalalt, suffering heavy losses and being forced to retreat to Ménaka.[8][9] After several hours of fighting with remaining Tuareg forces in the center of Andéramboukane, ISGS regained control of the city.[7]
The exact death toll is unknown.[4] Fahad Ag al-Mahmoud, the secretary-general of GATIA, claimed twenty "friendly" fighters were killed, and a hundred jihadists were killed.[8]Moussa Ag Acharatoumane, the leader of the MSA, alleged on June 9 that 70 ISGS fighters were killed during the fighting.[10] Both Moussa Ag Acharatoumane and El Hadj Ag Gamous denied claims they were injured, although Sidi Ghaly, a Tuareg commander during the battle, was wounded.[8]
The Islamic State reported 67 Tuareg soldiers were killed, eight vehicles captured, and seventeen destroyed.[8] On June 22, the Islamic State released a large graphic photo report showing the bodies of more than 45 Tuareg soldiers alongside captured and destroyed vehicles, and a large quantity of captured weapons and ammunition.[citation needed]
GATIA
MSA
Mali
Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
