Mali Islamists blow up strategic bridge
2013-01-25 16:04
Bamako - Islamist fighters have dynamited a strategic bridge
near the Niger border on the road to Gao, one of the main towns in northern
Mali occupied by extremists, sources said on Friday.
"The Islamists dynamited the Tassiga bridge. No one can
pass to Niger or come to Gao," said the owner of a transport business,
Abdou Maiga.
A security source from neighbouring Niger confirmed the
bridge's destruction.
"Since this morning, no vehicle has left the border for
Gao because the Islamists destroyed the Tassiga bridge with dynamite. No one
can pass anymore," he said.
Tassiga is a Malian town situated 60km from the Niger
border.
The destruction of the bridge comes as 2 000 Chadian and 500
Niger soldiers are planning to enter eastern Mali from Niger to open up a new
front against the Islamists who have occupied northern Mali for 10 months.
French warplanes that have bombarded Islamist positions for
two weeks in a bid to oust the extremists struck their bases in Ansongo, 40km from
Tassiga on the road leading to Gao, on Wednesday night.
French and Malian troops were also carrying out patrols in
the area.
- SAPA
