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ORDER OF BATTLE // February 10, 2013

Third Battle of Gao

Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.

Forces engaged

1 sides catalogued · combined 1,000 estimated

  • Mali

    1,000

    Medium-confidence figure

Battle context

The Third Battle of Gao was a MOJWA raid on the city of Gao in February 2013, occurring during the broader French-led intervention in the Northern Mali Conflict. Malian government forces, supported by French troops, repelled the incursion. The engagement demonstrated that recaptured urban centers remained vulnerable to rebel counter-raids even after the initial momentum of the French-led offensive had driven insurgent forces from major northern towns. Commanders El Hadj Ag Gamou and Bernard Barrera led the defensive response against MOJWA forces under Hamada Ould Mohamed Kheirou. The defeat of the raid reinforced the continued Malian and French military presence required to hold recovered territory against MOJWA counteraction.

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Last verified June 2026
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