DR ‹ › Morocco has voiced its profound concern over the recent «terrorist and separatist attacks in Bamako and other cities in Mali, which have deliberately targeted civilian and military zones,» a Moroccan diplomatic source reported on Saturday. The source stressed that «the Kingdom of Morocco condemns these cowardly and criminal acts in the strongest terms and extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the brotherly Malian people.» Morocco «reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with brotherly Mali and fully supports its sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity.» Rabat reiterates its steadfast backing of the Malian national authorities in their fight against terrorism and separatism, both within Mali and across the Sahel region, the diplomatic source clarified. This statement follows the Malian army's confirmation of clashes in the capital on Saturday against «terrorist groups.» The army's headquarters in Kati, located fifteen kilometers from Bamako, was also targeted in an attack that remains unclaimed. In the north, Tuareg rebels have announced their capture of the town of Kidal. The coordinated assault involving the FLA (Azawad Liberation Front) and jihadists from JNIM (Al-Qaeda in the Sahel) comes just 15 days after Bamako officially withdrew its recognition of the «RASD.» In a move towards closer ties with Morocco, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop met with a Moroccan delegation on Thursday, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water. «Discussions focused on priority issues, particularly in health and renewable energy sectors,» he noted.
