In Mali, a child was killed in Timbuktu

A child was killed and at least two others injured in a shelling attack in Timbuktu city on Saturday, August 26, officials and hospital sources said.

Two missiles were fired “Terrorists” attacked “Timbuktu City Center” And an 11-year-old girl was killed, a local elected official told Agence France-Presse (AFP), while a 4-year-old child was among the wounded.

“Saturday (…) At 5:30 p.m., armed terrorist groups (…) Targeted Timbuktu city by shell falling near market”Assured the army and gave it a balance sheet “Four civilians evacuated to hospital”. “We confirm the death of a girl.”A hospital source said.

On Monday, local officials told AFP that the Islamists had besieged the city for several days. Earlier in August, a social media post purporting to be the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate) claimed the group’s presence. “Declared War” In Timbuktu region.

A vacuum due to the withdrawal of the French forces

Timbuktu was one of the first major cities in the north of the country to fall under the control of Tuareg rebels after an uprising in 2012.

In 2022, the French force “Parkane” left Mali, leaving behind a vacuum in which the jihadists have sunk, according to various observers and experts. United Nations troops must leave their base in Timbuktu by the end of 2023.

UN for the Stabilization of Mali The mission (MINUSMA) has already withdrawn from two bases near Timbuktu: Ber and Koundam, handing over the posts to Malian authorities. However, much of the national territory is beyond government control.