Dossier
Islamist extremists
Coverage of Islamist extremists in the Nexus archive.
- Mali’s forces target rebel alliance in junta’s fight to keep power
Mali's armed forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, launched airstrikes against a rebel alliance of Islamist extremists and Tuareg separatists. The ruling junta is struggling to maintain power in the unstable west African country. Airstrikes targeted the key northern town of Kidal, which was lost during a surprise offensive by the rebels.