Arab Movement of Azawad

Arab Movement of Azawad
الحركة العربية الأزوادية
Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad
LeadersAhmed Ould Sidi Muhammad (General Secretary)
Hussein Ould Ghulam (Chief of Staff)[1]
Dates of operationEarly 2012 – present
Active regionsAzawad/northern Mali
IdeologyArab nationalism
Autonomy of Azawad
Pan-Arabism[2]
Size500 - 600 (claimed)
Part of Azawad
OpponentsAnsar Dine
National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad
 Turkey
 Mali
Battles and warsNorthern Mali conflict

The Arab Movement of Azawad (Arabic: الحركة العربية الأزوادية, French: Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad; MAA) is an Arab military organization active in Azawad/northern Mali. Initially known as the National Liberation Front of Azawad (French: Front de libération nationale de l'Azawad; FLNA), it was formed in early 2012, during the 2012 Tuareg rebellion. The MAA claims to be a secular, non-terrorist organization, whose main objective is to defend the interests of all the Arab peoples of northern Mali.[3]

It is reportedly willing to "work with France against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime" in the region.[4] The group calls for granting substantial autonomy to northern Mali.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ramadane was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Mcgregor, Andrew (8 March 2013), French cooperation with Tuareg rebels risks Arab rising in north Mali, retrieved 1 April 2013
  3. ^ Andrew McGregor. "French Cooperation With Tuareg Rebels Risks Arab Rising In Northern Mali". Jamestown. The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Mali: un mouvement d'Arabes dit combattre des rebelles touareg dans le Nord". Mali Actualités. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.