Battle of Tinzaouaten

On February 7, 2012, the city of Tinzawatene was attacked by the rebels. However, on the first day the Malian forces managed to repel the attack after several hours of combat. The next day however, the city was captured by the rebels. According to one of the MNLA spokesmen, Hama Ag Sid'Ahmed, the separatists took control of two military camps in the city and took several military vehicles. The Malian army admits that the garrison has withdrawn to Algeria , although it denies having been beaten, mentioning a "strategic retreat". On March 20, Ansar Dine also claimed to have control of Tinzawatene. [5][6]

According to the report released by the MNLA, more than 34 Malian soldiers fled to Algeria , 5 were wounded, 10 taken prisoner, including an officer against a single wounded on their side. The separatists also claim to have captured several vehicles. Spokesman Hama Ag Sid'Ahmed, however, mentions a dead and injured in the ranks of the MNLA. According to an unnamed official Malian source, there has been no fighting or loss of life as the army has decided to abandon isolated positions for tactical reasons. However, according to Reuters , the Malian government indicates in a statement on February 8 that one soldier was killed and two others wounded.[7][8][9][10]