Battle of Tabankort (2014)
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| Battle of Tabankort (2014) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Mali War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 MINUSMA |
 MNLA HCUA MAA-Dissident | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
El Hadj Ag Gamou Yoro Ould Daha | Hassan Ag Fagaga | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 200 | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
6 killed 15 injured |
10 killed 35 injured | ||||||
| Several dozen killed and injured | |||||||
Between July 19 and 22, 2014, pro-government rebels from GATIA and other militias clashed with rebels from the MNLA, HCUA, and dissident MAA in Tabankort, rural Gao Region, Mali. Clashes were paused after MINUSMA intervened.
On May 21, 2014, rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, the High Council for the Unity of Azawad, and the dissident faction of the Arab Movement of Azawad defeated Malian and pro-Malian forces in Kidal, effectively capturing the city.[1] The rebels also took control of Anefif, which was abandoned by Mali.[1] On May 24, clashes broke out in the nearby town of Tabankort, killing at least seven people, but the circumstances surrounding the clashes are unknown.[2] The MNLA accused MOJWA of ambushing MNLA fighters, although French media reported the clashes were between pro-government and pro-rebel factions of the MAA.[3] A few days later, new clashes broke out in Tabankort between the MNLA and pro-government MAA.[4]
On July 11, clashes broke out in Anefis, with the MNLA, HCUA, and dissident MAA fighting against the loyalist MAA, GATIA, and CM-FPR. The pro-government side was led by El Hadj Ag Gamou, an Imghad Tuareg, and Yoro Ould Daha, a Lemhar Arab.[5][6] Gamou commanded around 200 troops.[7] Rebel fighters were led by Hassan Ag Fagaga.[5] Rebel forces remained in control of the town.