Islamists With Guns and Pick Axes Destroy Ancient Shrines in Timbuktu


Islamist militants destroy an ancient shrine in Timbuktu. Mali Islamists occupying the city of Timbuktu, north-west of Mali, are destroying more mausoleums announced an Islamist chief in the city on Dec.23, 2012. (AFP)

Islamists with guns and pick axes destroyed several historic tombs in Timbuktu on Sunday.
Reuters reported, via Free Republic:

Islamist gunmen destroyed several tombs in Timbuktu on Sunday, residents said, days after the United Nations authorised African states to ready a force to take on al Qaeda-linked groups in Mali’s northern desert zones.

“Since 0800 (GMT) this morning, the Islamists have been destroying tombs again,” Youssouf Toure, a resident of the ancient trading town, told Reuters by telephone.

“(They are) targeting new ones and the ones they destroyed several months ago,” he added.

Residents said the attacks on traditional Sufi Islamic shrines were being carried out by about 15 heavily-armed fighters, some weilding pick axes. At least two previously untouched tombs in Timbuktu, a UNESCO world heritage site, were destroyed on Sunday, residents said.

A mix of Islamists with links to al Qaeda have occupied Mali’s north since April.

Dear Reader - The enemies of freedom are choking off the Gateway Pundit from the resources we need to bring you the truth. Since many asked for it, we now have a way for you to support The Gateway Pundit directly - and get ad-reduced access. Plus, there are goodies like a special Gateway Pundit coffee mug for supporters at a higher level. You can see all the options by clicking here - thank you for your support!
Photo of author
Jim Hoft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016. In 2023, The Gateway Pundit received the Most Trusted Print Media Award at the American Liberty Awards.

You can email Jim Hoft here, and read more of Jim Hoft's articles here.

 

Thanks for sharing!