There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Mali maps.
This is an update of last week’s Mali conflict map – for the full story, see Mali Map: Islamist Control & French Intervention.
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Updated map of territorial control and fighting in Mali, as of Jan. 22, 2013. Map by Evan Centanni, modified from Wikimedia map by Orionist, using images by Carport and NordNordWest (source). License: CC BY-SA.
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Key Central Town under French-Malian control
The ongoing French-led war against right-wing Islamic insurgents in northern Mali has achieved another victory. Douentza, probably the most important of the central Malian towns formerly held by the rebels, has now been secured by government and French forces. The allied troops reportedly found that the rebels had already left ahead of them, presumably fleeing the French airstrikes that targeted the town over the last week.
Douentza’s status had been a matter of uncertainty for some time, starting with apparently false claims of its capture by the Malian army on the eve of the French intervention. It had been held by the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), the more extreme of the two main rebel groups controlling territory in northern Mali (and the more closely connected to Al Qaeda).
The capture of Diabaly town has also been fully confirmed now, after a few days of confusion. It had been reported that there was fighting on the ground between French and rebel forces, but residents of the town say it was mainly airstrikes that drove the militants out.
Meanwhile, forces from both France neighboring African countries have continued to arrive in Mali to fight the rebels. French troops in the country now number over 2,000, while African troops from Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Chad currently total about 1,000. Chadian and Nigerien troops are also amassing in Niger near the Malian border, from where they may open up a new front by crossing the border to take Gao, the region’s largest city and currently the headquarters of MUJAO.
Original Story: Mali Map: Islamist Control & French Intervention
Recommended Reading: Behind Mali’s conflict: myths, realities & unknowns (commentary from an expert in Mali)
This site is awesome. Very well written, many of your stories I follow from other sources too, and you are always concise in geting to the point, unlike other sites. I hope this praise we spur you to keep going in your great work here.
Thanks, Allan! I make an effort to focus on the direct geographical aspects while keeping other information to a minimum (though it can be important too). Glad you think I've been doing a good job – encouraging indeed!
I discovered you some months ago, when you were featured by The Economist's graphic detail. As a subscriber to your feed, I also want to join in encouraging you to keep up your great work!
(in passing, there is a small typo in the actual map: you should correct "National caital" with its correct equivalent 🙂 )
Thanks! It really is encouraging to hear people are finding and liking Political Geography Now. I'll do my best not to keep it up! And thanks so much for pointing out the typo. Can't believe I missed that! I've now substituted a corrected version of the map for the old one with the typo (so it goes…).
Update map of Mali from NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2013/01/25/world/africa/25mali-map.html
According to France24 live streaming, 1,600 Malian troops defects in northern Mali before French come in. French airstrike to destroyed several militia bases in Ansongo. Militias fled to Gao.
According to my friend Lisa, Reuters TV is reporting Malian and French forces are on way to Gao and Ansongo after Hombori (128 miles southwest of Gao) is fall to Malian-French force today.
Update from Reuters:
Mali state forces advance into town of Hombori 100 miles south of rebel stronghold Gao, military sources say http://bit.ly/Y2Tc2f
AFP reported French force taking Lere and en route to Timbuktu. People of Mali want French force stay in Mali during post-Mali.
Militia group is split into two group in Kidal. One of group want peace and other opposite (mostly foreigners) against peace. Strange!
French forces seize airport, bridge in rebel-held town of Gao, Mali: French defence ministry via @Reuters tweeted
After capturing #Gao, French and Mali forces expected to push for #Kidal and #Timbuktu, the two strongholds of armed groups via @yasmineryan
CNN on TV reported United States agrees to conduct aerial refueling missions, to transport troops. U.S. is intensifying its involvement in Mali, where local and French forces are battling Islamic militants.
NBC News: U.S. policy prohibits direct military aid to Mali because the fledgling government is the result of a coup. No support can go to the Malian military directly until leaders are chosen through an election.
Thanks for the tips, Jose. I've been following the news too, and it can be useful to compare notes.