{{Short description|2013 battle in Northern Mali}} {{Infobox military conflict | place = between Anefif and Bourem, Mali | conflict = Battle of In Arab | partof = Northern Mali conflict | image = {{Location map many | Mali | width = 300 | float = left | label = In Arab | pos = left | marksize = 8 | lat_deg = 19.4833 | lon_deg = 0.6667 }} | caption = | date = 29–30 March 2013<br>(2 days) | result = ALF Victory | combatant1 = {{flagicon|Azawad}} Azawad *MNLA | combatant2 = {{flag|Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa}} MOJWA | commander1 = 21px Mossa Ag Attaher | commander2 = {{flag|Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa}} Abou Haq Younousse{{KIA}} | strength1 = | strength2 = | casualties1 = 7–9 killed<br>8 injured | casualties2 = 17 killed<br>1 captured<br>4 vehicles destroyed }} {{Campaignbox Northern Mali conflict (2012–present)}} The '''Battle of In Arab''' was a two-day-long armed confrontation between a unit of the MNLA and a group of MOJWA fighters. The battle resulted in an Azawad victory but both sides suffered casualties.
== Timeline == On 29 March, Tuareg specialists part of the MNLA (Movement for the National Liberation of Azawad) clashed with jihadists rebels between the cities of Anefif and Bourem in Northern Mali, located on the border between the Kidal and Gao Cercles. According to the MNLA a military unit of the Azawad army clashed with terrorists elements from the MOJWA.
The battle was said to have lasted all day and left at least two to four fighters from the MNLA and five terrorists dead. However, a Malian security source said the fighting took place around the village of Almoustarat and left 20 dead on the side of the MNLA and two on the Islamists. The MNLA said that the nationality of the jihadists were listed as three Algerians, one Malian and one Mauritian, also one Tuareg was taken prisoner.
On 30 March, clashes continued in the afternoon around the village of In-Arab to the north west of Teghboubinene where the previous fighting was said to be held.
== Outcome == After two hours of allegedly battling the brigade of the "Signatories by the Blood" led by Mokhtar belMokhtar, the group was defeated leaving at least 17 dead, including five MNLA fighters and around twelve jihadists. Abou Haq Younousse the brigades leader was said to be among those killed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mnlamov.net/ |title=Mouvement National de Liberation de l'Azawad |accessdate=2013-04-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501172206/http://www.mnlamov.net/ |archivedate=2013-05-01 }}</ref><ref>http://www.za.news.yahoo.com/mali-tuaregs-nine-killed-battle-jihadists-180600943.html{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{coord|19.4833|N|0.6667|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}
Category:Battles of the Mali War in 2013 Category:History of Azawad Category:March 2013 in Mali {{DEFAULTSORT:In Arab, Battle of}} Category:Battles involving the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad Category:Kidal Region in the Mali War Category:Gao Region in the Mali War