History
Human occupation of the Azawagh has been dated back to 4,500 BCE, with evidence of cattle-raising beginning 3,200 BCE. From this period until roughly 1,500 BCE, the region also supported large fauna, including waterbuck, hippopotami, and elephants.
Evidence of copper-working has been found at Tekebrine dating to 1600 BCE. At around this time, climatic conditions worsened, and the Sudanese peoples of the region were replaced by Berbers who constructed tumuli.
Islam reached the Western Aïr Mountains via southwest Libya in the eighth century. The region was invaded and colonized by the French in the early twentieth century. Following the independence movements of Algeria, Mali, and Niger, and the corresponding departure of the French, the region became divided between these three nations.
During the 1970s and '80s, a series of droughts forced increasing numbers of the region's nomadic population into villages and towns. The droughts also sparked a rebellion by the region's Tuareg population, with groups such as Front for the Liberation of Aïr and Azaouak and the Front for the Liberation of Tamoust rebelling against the Nigerien government, while the Arab Islamic Front of Azawad, Popular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, Revolutionary Liberation Army of Azawad, and the Popular Liberation Front of Azawad opposed the government of Mali.
Read more about this topic: Azawagh And Ayr Region
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