African Perceptions’ correspondent in northern Mali reports the establishment of a new military battalion named the “Mujahid Allah Ag El-Bachir Battalion,” affiliated with the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA), led by Alghabass Ag Intalla. This move is aimed at reinforcing the armed resistance against what the founders describe as the “Malian army and Russian Wagner mercenaries.”
The initiative was launched by Mohameden Ag Sidi, known as “Tarek,” one of the most influential field commanders in the Kidal region. He stated that the battalion’s primary goal is to combat “the common enemy represented by the Russian mercenaries and their Malian army allies.”
Tarek added that the battalion’s integration under the HCUA highlights its commitment to uniting military efforts for the liberation of Azawad.
Iman El-Cherif, an expert on armed groups in northern Mali, remarked that the move has been widely welcomed by young Azawadians aspiring for independence. She believes this development strengthens both the political and military vision of the HCUA.
The battalion is named in tribute to the legendary Azawadian resistance fighter Allah Ag El-Bachir, a historic figure who led a fierce struggle against French colonialism for three decades. He was eventually killed alongside his son and a friend in battle, and his head was taken by the enemy—a symbolic act that remains etched in local memory.
In an exclusive statement, Mahmoud Ag Soumita, a senior figure who joined the battalion, declared that their sole mission is to “fight the infidel invader who came from afar to kill us,” affirming that they “do not intend to fight any Muslim anywhere, but will focus solely on confronting mercenary forces.”
This announcement comes amid growing military tensions in the Azawad region, as clashes continue between MNLA factions and Malian forces backed by Russia.
