Bamako: An Al-Qaeda offshoot has seized a key arms depot in Mali after the deepening crisis faced by the country as rebels declared an independent Islamic state in the north, media reported on Monday.
According to reports the underground weapons and ammunition depot in the strategic northeastern town of Gao will vastly boost the firepower of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), sources said, even as the coup-torn country’s embattled transitional government struggled to assert its authority over the vast desert north.
“It’s one of the main depots of the Malian army,” a security source told AFP, adding that it had been built in case of “a long and difficult war.”
A regional security source confirmed the seizure, saying the vast cache of weapons will “really boost AQIM’s striking power”, and adding: “It is really impressive what AQIM has found in the underground depot.”
The source said the group “is today more armed than the combined armies of Mali and Burkina Faso”, Mali’s neighbour to the east.
News of the seizure, which happened earlier this week, emerged Sunday after the interim government formed following a March 22 coup rejected the declaration of a separate Islamic state in Mali’s vast desert north.
The declaration was made by Islamist movement Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith), backed by AQIM, and secular Tuareg group the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).
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