By William Tucker
Units of the Malian military that supported the coup launched a new assault on loyalist forces today, seizing control of an anti-junta military base in the capital. Many of the loyalist forces have fled Bamako after a new decree was issued calling for the arrest of the remaining forces still loyal to the ousted President. The fighting between pro-junta and loyalist forces has remained confined primarily to the south of Mali, in and around the capital of Bamako. In the north, Tuareg forces have carved out a stronghold and have even gone so far as to declare independence. In spite of this, not all Tuareg forces are unified and there is growing strain between some of the Tuareg and al-Qaeda affiliates operating in the area. The situation in the African nation is certainly tense, and a peaceful resolution ending the hostilities is unlikely.
Comments are closed.