Arab Islamic Front of Azawad (in French: Front Islamique Arabe de l'Azawad or FIAA) was a militant rebel group in northern Mali. It was headed by Zahabi Ould Sidi Mohamed.
Alone among Mali's many northern rebel groups, the FIAA drew its members mainly from north-west Mali's Hassani Arab minority, which is closely related by tribal ties, dialect and culture to the Moorish population of Mauritania and the Sahrawis of Western Sahara, Algeria and Morocco. Most other rebel groups in Mali's civil war were dominated by the north's larger population of Tuareg. On January 6, 1991, the MPLA and FIAA signed the Algeria-backed Tamanrasset Accords with the government of Mali. The accord, however, failed to prevent further conflict. In December 1991 FIAA joined the United Movements and Fronts of Azawad (MFUA), which would then sign the National Pact peace treaty.
Famous quotes containing the words arab and/or front:
“As the Arab proverb says, “The dog barks and the caravan passes”. After having dropped this quotation, Mr. Norpois stopped to judge the effect it had on us. It was great; the proverb was known to us: it had been replaced that year among men of high worth by this other: “Whoever sows the wind reaps the storm”, which had needed some rest since it was not as indefatigable and hardy as, “Working for the King of Prussia”.”
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