Bamako -
The U.N. Security Council has approved a motion that provides regional groups 45 days to draw up specific plans for military intervention designed to oust rebels in northern Mali
In order to secure their long-held ambition of an independent Azawad in northern Mali, Tuareg rebels have jumped into bed with extreme Islamists. Yet the Tuaregs do not support the rule of sharia law which the Islamists are imposing.
Residents of towns in northern Mali are attempting to flee as Islamists from the militant group Ansar al-Din impose strict sharia law. The group has demanded women wear veils and not appear in public with men.
