Mali Separatists Join Forces with Al-Qaida, Attack Cities

0:00Separatists from Northern Mali linked up with al-Qaeda-connected militants for one of the largest attacks yet on the army, hitting Bamako and four. Other cities including the capital's international airport, the assault left at least 16 people wounded, mixing civilians and soldiers. This was the first time the Tawareg led a Zawad Liberation Front joined forces with the group known as J-NM. Both sides said they're fighting back against the military regime in Bamako, calling it a partnership to protect locals. The government reported 16 wounded overall, and several militants killed, with no full death count released. Bamako's governor slapped a three-day overnight curfew on the city, running from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night. Meanwhile, the Separatists urged Russia to pull its support for Mali's junta, blaming them for civilian hardships. After coups, Mali's leaders shifted from the west to Moscow for help against militants, but attacks have spiked anyway.

1:01They also claimed to have retaken the northern stronghold of Qadal and grabbed spots in Gau, flipping a big win for the government and its Russian. Backers from last year, with Separatists pushing for an independent north, this new team of my heat things up even more. That's your update from Canada News Today, powered by AI.