Tuareg rebellion (2012): 2012 coup Internal conflict in Azawad: Foreign intervention: 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 On March 23 2013, a battle took place in Gao between MUJAO and Malian army.

On March 23, the Malian and French forces conduct a search operation on the island of Bera, capturing nine people suspected to be connected to MOJWAO.

A few hours later, on the night of March 23–24, a MOJWAO fighters raided the city of Gao, defended by the Malian, Nigerian and French armies based at Gao airport, as well as 160 Guinean soldiers who arrived in the city three days earlier.

During the fighting, MOJWAO retreated, but later returned in the battle by the Niger river.

The fighting ended when city residents took up arms against the Islamists.