Editing Azawad (section)

===Independence War===
{{Main|Tuareg rebellion (2012)}}
On 17 January 2012, the MNLA announced the start of an [[2012 insurgency in the Azawad|insurrection]] in Northern Mali against central government, declaring that it "will continue so long as Bamako does not recognise this territory as a separate entity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mnlamov.net/english/93-the-renewal-of-armed-struggle-in-azawad.html|title=The Renewal of Armed Struggle in Azawad|date=17 January 2012|publisher=Mouvement National de libération de l'Azawad|access-date=2 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125052225/http://www.mnlamov.net/english/93-the-renewal-of-armed-struggle-in-azawad.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}</ref> After the first attack took place in the town of [[Ménaka]], further fighting was reported in different parts of the north, including [[Aguelhok]], [[Tessalit]], [[Léré, Mali|Léré]], and [[Niafunké]]. Contradictory reports on military gains and losses from Malian military, were strongly denied by the Malian government.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/95252/mali-a-timeline-of-northern-conflict. |title = A timeline of northern conflict|date = 5 April 2012}}</ref> On 24 January, the MNLA [[Battle of Aguelhok|won control]] of the town of [[Aguelhok]], killing around 160 Malian soldiers and capturing dozens of heavy weapons and military vehicles. In March 2012, the MNLA and Ansar Dine took control of the regional capitals of [[Kidal]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17562066|work=BBC News|title=Mali coup: Rebels seize desert town of Kidal|date=30 March 2012|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> and [[Gao]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17576263|title=Mali Tuareg rebels seize key garrison town of Gao|date=31 March 2012|access-date=1 April 2012|work=BBC News}}</ref> along with their military bases. On 1 April, Timbuktu was captured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/mali-coup-leader-reinstates-1403759.html|title=Mali coup leader reinstates old constitution|author=Rukmini Callimachi|date=1 April 2012|access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> After the seizure of [[Timbuktu]] on 1 April, the MNLA gained effective control of most of the territory they claim for an independent Azawad. In a statement released on the occasion, the MNLA invited all Tuaregs abroad to return home and join in constructing institutions in the new state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mnlamov.net/actualites/34-actualites/164-declaration-du-bureau-politique-.html|title=Declaration du Bureau Politique|language=fr|date=1 April 2012|publisher=Mouvement National de libération de l'Azawad|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>