Timbuktu siege: Two killed in Mali mortar attack

Two killed, five injured in a shell attack on Timbuktu, Mali, blamed on "terrorists," amidst a surge in militant attacks in the region.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b9f545b-95db-4602-9429-790e5702a96a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-0.08311139923392026%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has faced recent jihadist sieges, causing acute food shortages.

[{"selector":"#anim-d32a50e3-f5cc-4bbb-9499-b6c107c7ec5d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.787521946343014%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] In 2012, Islamist and Tuareg fighters captured Timbuktu but were ousted by French forces.

[{"selector":"#anim-eda0c4c7-4643-4de6-b9df-387b4d8387d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Jihadists continue attacks from bases in the Sahara Desert, leading to Mali's military seizing power in 2020.

[{"selector":"#anim-9164575c-4b88-45e1-93a9-4b04bf3aa526 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] UN peacekeeping force withdraws, France deploys mercenaries, and militant attacks increase.

[{"selector":"#anim-d4748e58-233f-45b6-92bd-8f19cb46f46c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-10.255983801388044%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Food, petrol, and medicine shortages since August due to jihadist threats to truck deliveries.

[{"selector":"#anim-2f158abf-944e-4a1d-8b22-ee2c8a297aec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Army foils attack in Léré town, kills five militants, and faces raids by ethnic Tuareg rebels.

[{"selector":"#anim-e4c24ade-101b-4595-90e7-6463ef35b48c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Tuareg rebels seek northern Mali independence and oppose army control of vacated UN bases.

[{"selector":"#anim-0cd316ff-b13f-40e4-8515-e0c9e59ed133 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Ongoing Islamist insurgency spans Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, prompting military takeovers.

[{"selector":"#anim-3fe33811-b0cb-4830-bf7f-946515bbc606 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] For more such interesting stuff click here swipe up