Mali’s rich trove of historic sites has recently become - TopicsExpress

Mali’s rich trove of historic sites has recently become emblematic of the plight of cultural heritage in times of civil strife. Armed conflict has affected the northern regions of Mali since April 2012, and historic sites in Timbuktu have suffered significant destruction, as has its famous collection of manuscripts, hundreds of which were destroyed. By including the entirety of Mali’s cultural heritage on the Watch, WMF declares its commitment to advocating for the protection of the country’s many significant sites, and raises a call to action by the global community. Here are images of two historic buildings in Timbuktu destroyed by Islamist militants in 2012.