Timbuktu siege: Two killed in Mali mortar attack - BBC News

The culturally significant Malian city is under siege by jihadists, causing shortages of basic items.

2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsSahel Islamist insurgencyImage source, FLORENT VERGNESImage caption, There have been a surge in militant attacks in northern Mali (file photo)By Wycliffe MuiaBBC News Two people have been killed and five others injured after shells were fired on the historic northern Malian city of Timbuktu, the army says.

The military blamed what it called "terrorists" for the shelling.

Timbuktu, a UN-designated World Heritage Site, has been under siege in recent weeks by jihadists, reportedly leading to acute food shortages.

Back in 2012, it was captured by Islamist and Tuareg fighters, who were eventually ousted by French forces.

However, the jihadists continued to stage attacks from their bases further north in the Sahara Desert.