UN says 400 000 refugees may flee Mali
2013-01-18 14:56
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The Mali-unrest appears to be increasing due to the Algerian hostage and the extra France-supporting troops in Mali.
Geneva - Up to 700 000 people are expected to be uprooted by
the violence in Mali, including 400 000 who could flee to neighbouring
countries in the coming months, the United Nations refugee agency said on
Friday.
French, Malian and African forces are confronting an
Islamist rebel alliance that includes al-Qaeda's North African wing in a
military operation that began last week.
"We believe there could be in the near future an additional
300,000 displaced inside Mali and up to 400 000 additional displaced [refugees]
in neighbouring countries," UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told a news
briefing in Geneva.
At least 147 000 Malians have already fled to countries
including Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Algeria since the crisis began
last year. About 229 000 Malians are already internally displaced within Mali.
"We have been hearing horrific accounts from refugees
in the neighbouring countries," Fleming said.
"They report having witnessed executions, amputations,
and they say also large amounts of money being offered to civilians to fight
against the Malian army and its supporters," she said.
"Disturbingly we are also hearing accounts that there
are children among the rebel fighters."
