Aguelhok also known as Adjelhoc (the official name) is a

rural commune In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are des ...

and village in the Kidal Region of eastern Mali in the Tessalit Cercle. In the census of 2009 the commune had a population of 8,080.

Geography

Adjelhoc is situated in the north of the Tilemsi Valley. Located in the sandstone massif of the

Adrar des Ifoghas The Adrar des Ifoghas (also Adrar des Iforas; Tamasheq: ⴰⴷⵔⴰⵔ ⵏ ⵉⴼⵓⵖⴰⵙ in Tifinagh; Adrar n Ifoghas; ar, أدرار إيفوغاس Ifoghas' Mountains) is a massif located in the Kidal Region of Mali, reaching into Algeri ...

, Adjelhoc lies 430 km north of Gao and 150 km south of the Algerian border, in open

desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...

. The area of the commune is approximately 22,000 km², that is to say the equivalent of Belize. The population is 95% Tuareg. The majority have a nomadic lifestyle. In January 2012, the Islamist group Ansar Dine captured a military base at Aguelhok from Malian government forces. France accused the group of summarily executing 82 soldiers and following the capture, describing the group's tactics as "Al-Qaeda-style". In all 128-153 soldiers were killed. On 29 July 2012, Islamists stoned a couple to death for having children outside of marriage. An official reported that many people left the town for Algeria following the incident.

References

{{Communes of the Kidal Region Communes of Kidal Region Tuareg