[MAGHAREBIA] Ansar al-Din on Monday (January 7th) launched an assault on a Malian army unit in Savare, 600km southwest of Gao, ANI reported. The armed Islamists were led by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) chiefs, according to al-Akhbar.They fighters sought to take control of the Mopti airport, which reportedly could serve as a rear base for African forces.
The armed Islamists captured at least 12 government soldiers near Mopti, Al Jizz reported.