ex-Gaddafi's touareg fighters and islamists launch attacks in North Mali (Azawad)

Mali, Azawad (مالي أزواد) | January 20, 2012 | France 24 | Several hundreds of heavily armed Malian Touaregs, ex-mercenaries who had been fighting alongside Gaddafi forces during the 17 February Revolution in Libya, alied with islamic brigade Ansar Dine affiliated with Al Qaeda launched serie of attacks against the Malian army since three days. France 24 reports on these events. Focus // The azawad touareg returning from Libya belong notably to the Libyan Regiment No. 9 "Al-Foj Tassah" of Ali Kana (الفوج التاسع / علي كنّه) and the redoubtable and bloodthirsty brigade No. 32 Special Forces of Khamis Khadafi (اللواء (32) كتيبة خميس القذافي) responsible for the killings of thousands of Libyans and destructions and shelling of dozens of villages and towns. They escaped from Libya after being defeated at the battles of Al-Qawalish, Tarhuna, Beni Walid, and Sebha, and retreated to their homelands in North Mali, a territory called Azawad. They are allied with units of the Islamic Jihadist brigade Ansar Eddine (Ançar Dine) under command of leader Iyad ag Ghaly.