(AGI) Bamako – Tuareg rebels have encircled the army garrison in Timbuktu in Mali. Timbuktu is the only city in the north of the country not yet conquered by the rebels in the offensive launched after the military coup of 22 March. The MNLA, the main Tuareg separatist group, issued a statement on its website saying that its forces are encircling the city of Timbuktu to dislodge Mali’s remaining political and military administration. After Kidali the Tuareg conquered Gao, another strategic northern city and now only Timbuktu remains. After its fall they will then be able to extend their control into the desert. Eyewitnesses in Timbuktu reported fighting and that regular army troops were on the run.
Categories: Africa, Western Africa
Later News reports say that Timbuktu has fallen to the Tuaregs.