NIAMEY: Militants aligned with the Islamic State group are advancing in northeastern Mali, instigating terrified and worried citizens to flee their homes
According to sources received from the area on Friday, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) an offensive in the Gao and Menaka regions was launched in March, followed by beginning of heavy fighting with local armed groups and rival militants.
Situation deteriorating as militants threaten region
A human rights campaigner shared the details via WhatsApp on condition of anonymity that the situation is deteriorating with each passing day and if measures were not taken the militants will capture the whole region.
Other witnesses and sources told AFP that the ISGS has made further advances into the far-flung areas and there are reports of a massacre of civilians whereas the strategic towns of Gao and Menaka are most vulnerable amid the decade-long ongoing militant crisis.
Crisis spreading to Niger, Burkina Faso
Since 2012, thousands have died and thousands of others have fled their homes, during the crises, now spreading to neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso.
Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa and is famous for tourism, having a lot of tourist destinations, however, the ongoing insurgency has stained its attraction.
