The Mali War began with a Tuareg rebellion in the north led by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, which sought independence for the region, and a military coup in Bamako in March 2012 that left the state weakened. Islamist groups such as Ansar Dine and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb took advantage, seized northern cities including Gao and Timbuktu, imposed a harsh version of Sharia and destroyed historic shrines. In January 2013 France launched Operation Serval at Mali's request and, with African troops, retook the north, and a United Nations mission, MINUSMA, was deployed. The insurgency spread to central Mali and neighboring countries, and coups followed in 2020 and 2021. French forces left in 2022 and the UN mission ended in 2023.
Before and after
- 18 December 2011Death of Václav Havel
- 1 January 2012Founding of Aix-Marseille University
- 2012Higgs boson
- 2012Launch of Coursera
- 16 January 2012Mali War
- 29 January 2012Construction of Kazimierz Górski National Stadium
- 1 February 2012Death of Wisława Szymborska
- 11 February 2012Death of Whitney Houston
- 26 February 2012Euphoria
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The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 21st century.