Tuareg rebellion (2012): 2012 coup Internal conflict in Azawad: Foreign intervention: 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 The Inaghalawass skirmish took place on February 14, 2018, between French forces and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin fighters.

In 2017, five jihadist movements that had rebelled against the Malian government in 2012 merged into the al-Qaeda aligned Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), led by Iyad Ag Ghaly.

Following the merger, JNIM expanded its influence in Mali between 2017 and 2018, carrying out attacks on Malian troops and French interventionist forces.

On the night of February 13 and 14, a battle broke out between French forces and JNIM insurgents in the village of Inaghalawass, on the Malian-Algerian border between Boghassa and Tinzaouaten.

The group also announced the deaths of Sheikh Abu Ahmed al-Fulani and Tariq al-Sufi along with al-Ansari, Oufata, Ougana, and Wanasnat.