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2018 Talataye attack

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2018 Talataye attack
Part of Mali War
DateMay 26, 2018
Location
Result Indecisive
Belligerents
Movement for the Salvation of Azawad Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
Casualties and losses
4 killed
2 injured
8 killed
7 killed

The Talataye attack occurred on May 26, 2018, during the Mali War. Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS) fighters attacked a festival in Talataye, Mali, killing several civilians and Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) fighters.

Background

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Eastern Mali, in particular Ménaka Cercle, came under control of the Tuareg militia Movement for the Salvation of Azawad in late 2016 following the MSA's founding that year.[1] In 2017, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked more and more localities in the tri-point area - the area encompassing western Niger, northern Burkina Faso, and the Ménaka Region of Mali, following the ISGS's founding the previous year.[2] Ethnic conflict between Daoussahak Tuaregs and predominantly-Fulani ISGS members also exacerbated tensions between the MSA and ISGS.

At the time of the attack, Talataye was under MSA control.[3]

Attack

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On May 26, a group of armed men in three vehicles and motorcycles arrived in Talataye. The attackers spoke Fulfulde, Arabic, and Tamasheq, according to witnesses.[3] The attackers, who were suspected of being ISGS, attacked an MSA post and a group of men resting under trees, using the nearby fair to catch the victims off guard.[3] Around twenty people were killed in the attack, with the advisor to the mayor of Talataye stating four MSA fighters were killed along with eight ISGS fighters.[3] A teacher in Talataye stated five civilians were killed sleeping under the trees.[3] An MSA statement released on May 28 stated seven civilians were killed and two MSA fighters were injured, in addition to the toll mentioned by the mayor.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Mali – Moussa Ag Acharatoumane : " Nous avons créé le MSA pour représenter tous les Azawadiens " – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  2. ^ "Violent Extremism in the Sahel". Global Conflict Tracker. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Au Mali, une vingtaine de morts dans une attaque". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2023-10-23.