Pro-government armed group in Mali
The Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (French: Groupe d'autodéfense touareg Imghad et alliés, abbreviated GATIA) is an armed group in Azawad, Mali. Most of its 500 to 1,000 fighters[1] are Imghad Tuaregs, and the group supports the Malian government.[2]
History
GATIA was founded on 14 August 2014[3] as a self-defense group of armed locals, in response to the Malian Army's total defeat in the 2nd Battle of Kidal on 21 May 2014 by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).[4]
In collaboration with French forces, GATIA and the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) launched a joint-operation on 23 February 2018 to capture or kill Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the ISIL commander in Mali. Al-Sahrawi survived and managed to evade capture, but six ISIL militants were killed in the clashes.[5]
GATIA-MSA forces clashed with ISIL militants from 2 to 5 June 2018. ISIL commander Almahmoud Ag Akawkaw was captured, while Amat Ag Assalate was killed during the battle.[6]
On December 1, 2024, the leader of GATIA, Fahad Ag Almahmoud, was assassinated in a drone strike by the Malian army.[7]
Ideology
GATIA is a pro-Malian government group and is generally opposed to the MNLA and an independent Azawad.[2][3]
References
