Bamako: Armed Islamists militant occupied the Algerian consulate in Gao in north-eastern Mali, arresting diplomats and raising their black flag at the building, media reported on Thursday.
According to reports a witness told French News Agency that he was currently in front of the Algerian consulate in district four in Gao. Armed Islamists have entered the consulate, arrested the diplomats and staff and taken down the Algerian flag to put up their own.
He said the Islamists “are also around the consulate, armed. Most of them have black skin.”
A second witness confirmed the information: “I am next to the Algerian consulate, at the moment I can see black men, armed, around the consulate and inside. They have replaced the Algerian flag with a black flag with Arabic writing.”
“I saw the Salafists’ flag in place of the Algerian flag at the consulate but at the consul’s house the Algerian flag is still up,” said a third.
The town of Gao, which housed the regional military headquarters, was seized on Saturday by Tuareg and Islamists linked to al-Qaeda splinter group the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa.
With the town split between the various rebel groups, lawlessness has been rife with humanitarian workers and locals telling of the widespread looting of government and private buildings, and theft of residents’ cars.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription