BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A humanitarian crisis is worsening in northeastern Mali where armed groups linked to Islamic State have besieged major towns leaving residents including some 80,000 children vulnerable to malnutrition, locals and an aid group warned Wednesday.
The town of Ménaka has been under siege for four months, driving up the prices of food. Other essential goods like medication are increasingly hard to find, residents and aid groups say.
“The humanitarian situation is catastrophic, with displaced people going from house to house asking for food for their families. Children are threatened with starvation,” Wani Ould Hamadi, deputy mayor of the town of Ménaka, told the Associated Press.
Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russia’s mercenary units for security assistance instead.
Xi Sends Congratulations to UN Meeting Marking Int'l Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People
Commentary: Is there overcapacity in China's EV sector?
UAE to participate in 21st China
China, Vietnam hold 8th border defense friendship exchange
Xi Pledges to Work with Milei for Sound Development of China
China's political advisors discuss foundations of food security
Interview: Malaysia pursues holistic strategy to boost Chinese tourist arrivals
WHO says Gaza's Nasser hospital not functional after Israel raids
China to export commuter trains to Indonesia for first time
Commentary: What is behind the China shock concoction