Current:Home > StocksRebels in Mali say they’ve captured another military base in the north as violence intensifies-LoTradeCoin
Rebels in Mali say they’ve captured another military base in the north as violence intensifies
View Date:2024-12-24 08:50:52
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Tuareg rebels in Mali said Monday they captured another military base from the army in the country’s north as fighting intensifies.
Attaye Ag Mohamed, spokesman for the Azawad armed movement, told The Associated Press that the rebels seized the military base in the city of Bamba between Timbuktu and Gao on Sunday, as part of a broader strategy to weaken the Malian army.
Mali’s ruling junta didn’t comment on whether the base was taken but posted a statement Sunday on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, saying there was intense fighting between its forces and “terrorists” in Bamba and that details would follow. Mali’s government refers to the Taureg rebels as terrorists.
Mohamed said the rebels also had stolen 11 vehicles. Taking the position in Bamba was aimed at depriving the Malian army of a base it can withdraw to as it seeks to advance on the Tuareg stronghold of Kidal in the north, he said.
The violence is the latest in a string of increasing attacks by the rebels, known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD). Analysts say it signals a breakdown of a 2015 peace agreement signed between the government and ethnic Tuareg rebels who once drove security forces out of northern Mali as they sought to create the state of Azawad there.
The base would be the fourth taken by rebels since August, following other ones at Bourem, Lere and Dioura. The rebels said they’re bracing for retaliation.
Compounding the rebel violence are increasing attacks by Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, which have wracked the country for a decade and led to two coups.
The military junta that seized power in 2020 and again a year later is struggling to stem attacks. For nearly two years its forces have fought alongside Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group, but violence has increased with both parties being accused of committing human rights abuses.
Fighting has spread to new locations in the north with the country averaging four violent attacks daily since the turn of the year, a 15% increase when compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
Earlier this year the junta ousted the U.N. peacekeeping mission, which has been operating in the country for a decade. Since the peacekeepers completed the first phase of their withdrawal in August, attacks in northern Mali have more than doubled.
veryGood! (978)
Related
- Get Your Home Holiday-Ready & Decluttered With These Storage Solutions Starting at $14
- Police: Man blocking traffic fatally shot after pointing gun at Detroit officer
- Pet company says your dog can earn $100 promoting CBD-infused peanut butter treats
- A raid on a Kansas newspaper likely broke the law, experts say. But which one?
- See Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess' Blended Family Photos
- Sweden beats Australia 2-0 to win another bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup
- British nurse Lucy Letby found guilty of murdering 7 babies
- Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft suffers technical glitch in pre-landing maneuver
- We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
- Suspect arrested in killing of 11-year-old Texas girl whose body was left under bed
Ranking
- Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
- Pilot error caused the fatal hot air balloon crash in New Mexico, NTSB finds. Drug use was a factor
- Americans face more sticker shock at the pump as gas prices hit 10-month high. Here's why
- Tropical Storm Hilary menaces Mexico’s Baja coast, southwest US packing deadly rainfall
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- ‘Blue Beetle’ unseats ‘Barbie’ atop box office, ending four-week reign
- Georgia made it easier for parents to challenge school library books. Almost no one has done so
- Ukraine making progress in counteroffensive, U.S. officials say
Recommendation
-
When does Spirit Christmas open? What to know about Spirit Halloween’s new holiday venture
-
Tropical Storm Emily takes shape in the Atlantic, as storm activity starts to warm up
-
Why USWNT's absence from World Cup final is actually great for women's soccer
-
Sweden beats Australia 2-0 to win another bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup
-
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul referee handled one of YouTuber's biggest fights
-
Saudi Arabia says it executed U.S. national convicted of killing and torturing his father
-
Stella Weaver, lone girl playing in Little League World Series, gets a hit and scores
-
Lolita, beloved killer whale who had been in captivity, has died, Miami Seaquarium says