Residents of Mali’s northern town of Tinzaouaten, caught in the crossfire of a fierce July battle between Tuareg rebels and the army backed by Russian mercenaries, now face disease outbreaks and drone attacks, prompting many to flee to Algeria.
Tuareg rebels are in control of the town in Mali’s vast northern desert, and security-related roadblocks have hampered access to supplies such as bed nets and medicines needed to combat outbreaks of diphtheria and malaria.
“In Tinzaouaten, here, we lack almost everything… Almost everything is closed on us… The medicines have not arrived in Tinzaouaten and now that the roads are closed, no organisation has come to help us,” said resident Ibrahim Ag Tambarayraye.
Multiple drone strikes since the July conflict have killed dozens of civilians, including children, doctors and residents in the border town near Algeria, said.
Reuters/Hauwa M.
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