NAN-F-30
Peacekeepers
Bamako, Nov. 17, 2016 (dpa/NAN) UN peacekeepers on Thursday said they found 2000 kg of explosives near the town of Kidal in Mali’s restive North, Olivier Salgado, Spokesman for the UN Mission in Mali (Minusma) said.
Salgado said the amount could have been used to make up to 100 improvised explosive devices.
He added that “the explosives were hidden in the desert, west of Kidal.”
Mali’s North had been volatile since separatist rebel groups and later al-Qaeda-associated militants took control of the region in the wake of the 2012 military coup.
The French and African military operations alongside the Malian army scattered militants and restored government control over the area.
However, rebel activities and military operations continued in some areas, despite the signing of various peace agreements. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu