Ten Children Kidnapped in Mali, Two Die Escaping

Bamako — Ten children were kidnapped in northern Mali a few days ago, two of whom died while trying to escape. According to local military and police sources, the kidnappings were carried out by armed men on the outskirts of the city of Kidal and Aguelhoc, in the region of Azawad. Although there has been no claim of responsibility, it is believed that the Islamist groups who are still active in the territory are involved in the kidnappings.

The entire eastern half of the north of Mali, known as Azawad, is still subject to great instability due to the presence of armed Tuareg groups in addition to other Islamist groups that sometimes act against peacekeepers of the United Nations.