Arab Movement of Azawad
| Arab Movement of Azawad | |
|---|---|
| الحركة العربية الأزوادية Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad | |
Flag used by the movement | |
| Leaders | Ahmed Ould Sidi Muhammad (General Secretary) Hussein Ould Ghulam (Chief of Staff) |
| Dates of operation | Early 2012 – present |
| Active regions | Azawad/northern Mali |
| Ideology | Arab nationalism Pan-Arabism Secularism Autonomy of Azawad |
| Size | 500–600 (claimed) |
| Opponents | Ansar Dine National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad Turkey Mali |
| Battles and wars | Mali War |
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.
It is reportedly willing to "work with France against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime" in the region. The group calls for granting substantial autonomy to northern Mali.