Between January 16 and 20, 2015, Platform and the Coordination of Azawad Movements clashed in the town of Tabankort, Gao Region, Mali. The clashes sparked a conflict between the CMA and the Dutch contingent of MINUSMA, which led to a controversial demilitarized zone.
Following the fighting, Platform exercised control over Tabankort, and the CMA had control over the nearby town of Anefif.[2] Both sides accused the other of looting and other abuses against the civilian population of the other town.[3] On January 17, the CMA announced it had "Initiated a major operation aimed at dismantling" Platform.[3]
Battle
Between January 16 and 17, skirmishes broke out between Platform and CMA fighters in Tabankort, although no casualties were reported.[4][5] The CMA, on January 19, held their positions in the town and asked the MINUSMA peacekeepers stationed there to leave.[6] The contingent, manned by Dutch peacekeepers, refused.[6]
On January 20, a Dutch helicopter intervened in a clash between Platform and the CMA, with the Dutch firing six missiles at an MNLA vehicle carrying heavy weapons.[7][8] MINUSMA released a statement stated that it had been "forced to use force" after warning shots were not heeded.[9] The CMA denied firing on the peacekeepers, and accused MINUSMA of breaking neutrality. The CMA also threatened to void any security collaboration with MINUSMA, but would not break the ceasefire.[10][11] Fighting continued that sameday between Platform and the CMA.[12]
Two hundred demonstrators occupied the Kidal Airport and threw stones at peacekeepers in the city following the attack. The protests ended the next day, and traditional leaders called for calm.[13][14]
Aftermath
The CMA initially accused MINUSMA of the deaths of five fighters and the injuries of twenty others.[5] When the victims were brought back to Kidal on the 21st, eleven CMA fighters were killed and twenty-one were injured.[15] Platform claimed the loss of five fighters and two vehicles, and claimed to have discovered twenty-eight CMA bodies.[16] They also claimed to have destroyed fourteen rebel vehicles and weapons.[17] In its March 2015 report, the UN stated six GATIA fighters were killed and at least twenty-five Platform fighters were injured.[18]
On January 24, MINUSMA and the CMA agreed on a demilitarized zone between Anefif and Almoustarat that was ten kilometers wide.[19][20] Residents of Gao protested against the zone, sparking clashes with Rwandan peacekeepers who opened fire, killing three civilians and injuring four others.[21][22] The project was scrapped by MINUSMA on January 28.[23]
