What's happened
Armed groups carried out attacks on a tea shop in Mogadishu, a checkpoint in Beledweyne, military camps in Timbuktu and Bourem, and security forces in Koumbri, resulting in multiple casualties.
Why it matters
The attacks highlight the ongoing security challenges in the region and the increasing control of armed groups in northern Mali. They also underscore the vulnerability of civilians and the military in the face of extremist violence.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in Mogadishu, while AP News and The Independent provide additional details on the attacks in Mali. France 24 and The Guardian discuss the capture of Bourem by Tuareg rebels and the collapse of the 2015 peace deal. New York Times and AP News report on the attacks in Mali and the blockade of Timbuktu. Al Jazeera and AP News cover the attacks in Burkina Faso.
How we got here
The attacks in Mali come amid a resurgence of armed group activity and separatist movements in the region. The withdrawal of UN peacekeepers and French forces has created a security vacuum, allowing armed groups to gain control. In Burkina Faso, the attacks highlight the ongoing violence and insecurity caused by Islamist extremist groups.
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