Tuaregs Announce Control Over Camp in Northern Mali

Tuareg rebels in northern Mali announced today, Tuesday, that they have taken control of a military camp in the town of Bourim, indicating further deterioration of the peace agreement concluded in 2015, which aimed to prevent clashes between the rebels and the army. A coalition of rebels known as the Coordination of Azawad Movements has been fighting the army since August, amid clashes sparked by the withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission that had helped mediate a fragile peace for years. However, fighting appears to be escalating as both sides seek to gain control of territories recently vacated by the UN. Bourim is located just 90 kilometers north of the strategic city of Gao. Coordination spokesman Mohamed El-Mouloud Ramadan stated, "I confirm that the body has taken control of the camp around 10 a.m. after intense fighting." He added that there are casualties, but the number of deaths has not yet been confirmed.