In the historic city of Timbuktu in northern Mali, an estimated 136,000 individuals, among them more than 74,000 children, find themselves trapped amidst a siege by jihadists associated with al-Qaeda, as reported by Save the Children, an NGO.
The organization expressed grave concerns on Monday regarding the alarming circumstances faced by those confined within the city. The situation has worsened due to armed groups obstructing access to Timbuktu, causing a rapid depletion of essential supplies like food and medicine.
Save the Children stressed the severity of the crisis, highlighting that official aid channels have been completely severed, leading to a steep decline in available resources. Unless a prompt resolution is achieved, vital services within the city are at risk of collapse.
Disturbing accounts received by the NGO detailed incidents involving children, including injuries and fatalities caused by explosive devices. Furthermore, there are distressing reports of armed groups recruiting young individuals.
Since August, Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been under siege by jihadists affiliated with al-Qaeda. These militants have enforced strict restrictions, including banning trucks from neighboring regions, resulting in shortages and exorbitant price hikes for crucial commodities such as food and fuel.
The ongoing assaults by jihadists have driven more than 33,000 people to flee the city, according to the United Nations.