Azawad is an area to the northeast of Mali that declared independence from Mali in April 2012. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) drove out Malian soldiers from the territory at the same time a coup d'état deposed the Malian president following a military mutiny. Its independence was unilaterally declared and the territory is yet to be recognised by any other state or country. Azawad's population is around 1.2 million and the main religion in the area is Islam.