View source for Battle of Aguelhok (2012)

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict    = Battle of Aguelhok
| partof      = the [[Tuareg rebellion (2012)]] and [[Northern Mali conflict]]
| image       = {{Location map many | Mali
| width = 300
| float = left
| label = Aguelhok
   | pos = left
   | marksize = 8
   | lat_deg = 19.465
   | lon_deg = 0.855
}}
| caption     = 
| date        = 17–25 January 2012<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=01|day1=17|year1=2012|month2=01|day2=25|year2=2012}})
| place       = [[Aguelhok]], [[Mali]]
| map_caption = 
| result      = MNLA victory
| combatant1  = {{flag|Mali}} 
*713th Nomad Company
| combatant2  = {{flagicon|Azawad}} [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad|MNLA]]<br />{{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} [[AQIM]]<br />[[File:Drapeau Ansar Dine.JPG|25px]] [[Ansar Dine]]
| commander1  = {{flagicon|Mali}} Cpt. Sékou Traoré{{executed}}<ref>[https://archive.today/20130221030043/http://www.essor.ml/52e-anniversaire-de-larmee-deux-valeureux-militaires-recompenses.html 52nd anniversary of the Army: TWO MILITARY AWARDS VALEUREUX]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africasia.com/services/news_africa/article.php?ID=CNG.1917c4fef3978cd3368f40fb9f61aca9.5a1 |author=IC publications |title=Islamists fighters call for Sharia law in Mali |date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2013-02-18 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525050405/http://www.africasia.com/services/news_africa/article.php?ID=CNG.1917c4fef3978cd3368f40fb9f61aca9.5a1 |archivedate=May 25, 2012 }}</ref>
| commander2  = {{flagicon|Azawad}} Col. Ag Moussa<ref name=Mali/>[[File:Drapeau Ansar Dine.JPG|25px]] [[Iyad Ag Ghaly]]<br />{{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} Abdelkrim al-Targui <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20120731.OBS8489/mali-un-couple-non-marie-lapide-a-anguelhok.html|title = MALI. Un couple non-marié lapidé à Anguelhok|date = 31 July 2012}}</ref>
| strength1   = 200 soldiers
| strength2   = Unknown
| casualties1 = 153 soldiers killed<ref name=Mali/>
| casualties2 = Dozens killed<br />40 vehicles destroyed <small>(Malian Army claim)</small><ref name="stratfor"/>
| image_skyline = Aguel 48.JPG
| imagesize   = 300px
| image_caption = A road in Aguelhok
| image_flag  = 
| flag_size   = 
| image_seal  = 
| seal_size   = 
| image_shield = 
| shield_size = 
| image_blank_emblem = 
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| image_map   = 
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| map_caption1 = 
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| dot_x       = 
| dot_y       = 
| pushpin_map = Mali <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Mali
| pushpin_mapsize = 300
}}
{{Campaignbox Northern Mali conflict (2012–present)}}
The '''Battle of Aguelhok''' (also called the '''Aguelhok Massacre''')<ref name="massacre">[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/04/20134242218374249.html Investigating 'massacre' of soldiers in Mali]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/mali592ang.pdf|title=War crimes  in North Mali|work=FIDH|access-date=2023-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5y_uCgAAQBAJ|title=The French War on Al Qa'ida in Africa|last=Chivvis|first=Christopher S.|date=2015-10-31|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781316445365|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.urd.org/For-a-holistic-approach-to?artpage=2-3|title=Groupe URD - For a holistic approach to problems and opportunities in North Mali|website=www.urd.org|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref> occurred when rebels from the [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad]] (MNLA) and Islamists groups [[Ansar Dine]] and [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]] attacked a Malian army garrison base in the town of [[Aguelhok]], [[Kidal Region]] of Northern Mali on 17 January 2012, as part of the larger [[Tuareg rebellion (2012)|Tuareg rebellion]] to seize all government bases in the region.<ref>[http://reliefweb.int/report/mali/mali-says-soldiers-civilians-executed-during-tuareg-clashes Mali says soldiers, civilians executed during Tuareg clashes]</ref><ref name="naharnet.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/26990-mali-troops-tuareg-rebels-battle-for-second-day|title = Mali Troops, Tuareg Rebels Battle for Second Day}}</ref>

The attack was led by Colonel Moussa Ag, a Malian army deserter to the MNLA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://maliactu.net/mali-lenquete-sur-le-massacre-daguelhok-4-ans-apres-les-familles-des-153-militaires-tues-toujours-dans-lattente/|title=Mali : Voici la vérité sur le massacre d'Aguelhok, 4 ans après|website=Mali Actu|language=fr-FR|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref> The military base was overrun on 25 January, after the Malian army garrison ran out of ammunition and surrendered.<ref name=":0">{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-mali-fighting-idAFJOE80Q00O20120127 | work=Reuters | title=Mali rebels push south to open third front | date=27 January 2012 | access-date=30 June 2017 | archive-date=24 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124135237/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/27/ozatp-mali-fighting-idAFJOE80Q00O20120127 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="english1" /><ref name="Capture">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-mali-rebellion-idAFJOE8110A720120202 |title=Mali capital paralysed by anti-rebellion protests |work=Reuters |date=2 February 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2013 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124150428/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/02/ozatp-mali-rebellion-idAFJOE8110A720120202 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==The battle==
On January 18, the small town of Aguelhok was attacked by the rebels. The assault begins at 3.30 am, when the attackers cut the telephone network, while a group, hidden by the houses of the city progressed to the military camp without being seen. They found a favorable position on the roofs from where they could fire to the military camp. In addition, on the outskirts of the city, teachers and students of the Teacher Training Institute were taken prisoner, and they were used as human shields to protect themselves from possible air strikes. However, on the first day, the Malian army repelled the Tuareg and Islamist forces. According to the Malian Ministry of Defense, this first fight killed 35 attackers. The losses of the Malian army were one dead and seven wounded. Forces of Ansar Dine, were led by Abu Mohame, said Sheikh Aoussa, the second in command of the group. According to an intelligence officer in Mali, the attackers were commanded by Colonel deserter Ibah or M'Bam Ag Moussa, known as "Bamoussa". On January 20, a convoy of the Malian army that came to reinforce the Aguelhok garrison was repulsed during the [[Battle of In Emsal]]. After a few slight skirmishes on January 24, at five in the morning, the rebels launched a second assault. Short of ammunition, the Malian soldiers surrendered. But they were executed the same day. The next day, the barracks were bombed by the Malian airforce, and from [[Kidal]] a new Malian army group commanded by Colonel Ag Gamou headed to Aguelhok, supported by Mil Mi-24 helicopters. The rebels withdraw and abandoned the city which was taken without a fight by the Malian soldiers. Forty-one soldiers were found in mass graves after the battle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/167687/politique/guerre-au-mali-retour-sur-le-drame-d-aguelhok/|title = Guerre au Mali : Retour sur le drame d'Aguelhok – Jeune Afrique|date = 21 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaterranee.com/2052012-des-affrontements-entre-armee-malienne-et-rebelles-touareg-font-47-morts.html#.UTEjpG_ddBU|title = Des affrontements entre armée malienne et rebelles touareg font 47 morts|date = 20 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/133789/politique/mali-france-le-ton-monte/|title = Mali – France : Le ton monte|work=Jeune Afrique|date = 15 April 2014|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/177562/politique/nord-mali-l-arm-e-d-couvre-les-corps-d-une-quarantaine-de-militaires-aguelhok/|title=Nord-Mali : l'Armée découvre les corps d'une quarantaine de militaires à Aguelhok|work=Jeune Afrique|date=26 January 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://maliactu.net/evolution-de-la-situation-securitaire-au-nord-carnage-a-aguel-hoc/|title=Evolution de la situation sécuritaire au Nord : Carnage à Aguel-hoc|website=maliactu.net|access-date=2023-03-23|date=25 January 2012|language=fr}}</ref>

== Executions ==
Malian military spokesmen Colonel Idriss Traoré later commented that 97 captured soldiers were killed.<ref name="stratfor">{{cite web |url=http://stratfor.com/weekly/mali-besieged-fighters-fleeing-libya |title=Mali Besieged by Fighters Fleeing Libya |publisher=Stratfor |accessdate=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311024311/http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/mali-besieged-fighters-fleeing-libya |archive-date=11 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="naharnet.com" /> Later it became known that the 100 captured Malian soldiers were summarily executed by rebels using "al-Qaeda style" tactics.<ref name="english1">{{cite web |url=http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20120213-tuareg-rebels-behind-january-killings-confirms-mali-army |title=Tuareg rebels behind January killings, confirms Mali army |publisher=Radio France International |date=13 February 2012 |archivedate=29 September 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929015224/http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20120213-tuareg-rebels-behind-january-killings-confirms-mali-army |url-status=live |accessdate=7 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name="stratfor" /> Nine soldiers spared during the massacre were later let free on a vow to never fight "Sharia Islam".<ref name="Capture" />

Prior to its [[International Criminal Court investigation in Mali|formal investigation in Mali]], the [[International Criminal Court]] stated that,

''"Based on the information available, the Aguelhok incident appears grave enough to justify further action by the Court."''

The Malian president [[Amadou Toumani Toure]] later commented during a conference on 15 March about the incident,<ref name="ICC_publicreport_16Jan2013" />

''"The garrison had no more ammunition and it was impossible to transport reinforcements. The soldiers who fought valiantly were captured. When the MNLA left the scene we discovered a tragedy. Seventy of our young people were lined up on the floor. Blacks had their wrists tied behind his back. They were killed by bullets fired at close range in the head. Those who had white skin, Arabs and Tuaregs slaughtered and gutted. It is a war crime. I am surprised by the silence of international organizations on these atrocities. What does the International Criminal Court do? Nothing. A commission of inquiry was tasked to submit a dossier to the Malian justice. MNLA who claimed victory bears a heavy responsibility, but we know that the largest contingent of the group was composed primarily of people of AQIM. "''

France and other world countries denounced the incident as "absolutely atrocious and unacceptable violence".<ref name=":0"/>

Toure later remarked in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro;

''“les soldats qui se sont battus vaillamment ont été faits prisonniers”. Il poursuit “lorsque le MNLA a quitté les lieux nous avons découvert une tragédie. Les noirs avaient les poignets ligotés dans le dos. Ils ont été abattus par des balles tirées à bout portant dans la tête. Ceux qui avaient la peau blanche, les Arabes et les Touaregs, ont été égorgés et souvent éventrés. C’est un crime de guerre”''<ref name=Mali>{{Cite web|url=http://malijet.com/actualte_dans_les_regions_du_mali/rebellion_au_nord_du_mali/207277-massacre-d%E2%80%99aguelhok-les-enqu%C3%AAtes-au-point-mort.html|title=Malijet Massacre d'Aguelhok : Les enquêtes au point mort Bamako Mali|website=malijet.com|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
On 1 February, violence in the north of the country led to anti-rebellion protests which shut down [[Bamako]], Mali's capital.<ref name="Capture2">{{cite news |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E8CV5ZF20120202 |title=Mali capital paralysed by anti-rebellion protests |publisher=Reuters |date=2 February 2012 |accessdate=7 March 2012 |archivedate=9 November 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109225515/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/02/mali-rebellion-idAFL5E8CV5ZF20120202 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following the Bamako protests, the interior minister took the place of the defense minister. President Touré also called on the population to not attack any community after some Tuaregs' properties were attacked in the protests.<ref name="Capture2" />

==References==
{{Reflist|31em|refs=
<ref name="ICC_publicreport_16Jan2013">{{cite web |title=Situation in Mali - Article 53(1) Report |publisher=[[International Criminal Court]] |date=2013-01-16 |url=http://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/situations%20and%20cases/situations/icc0112/Documents/SASMaliArticle53_1PublicReportENG16Jan2013.pdf |accessdate=2013-01-21 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616032834/http://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/situations%20and%20cases/situations/icc0112/Documents/SASMaliArticle53_1PublicReportENG16Jan2013.pdf |archivedate=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

{{coord|19.4650|N|0.8550|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}

[[Category:Battles of the Tuareg rebellion (2012)]]
[[Category:Massacres of the Mali War]]
[[Category:January 2012 events in Mali]]
[[Category:Battles involving the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad]]
[[Category:Battles of the Mali War involving Mali]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aguelhok 2012}}
[[Category:Battles involving Ansar Dine]]
[[Category:Kidal Region in the Mali War]]
[[Category:Massacres in 2012]]
[[Category:21st-century prisoner of war massacres]]
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in Mali]]
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in 2012]]
[[Category:January 2012 crimes in Africa]]
[[Category:2012 murders in Mali]]