UN: Al-Qaida and Islamic State driving insecurity in Mali

When anti-government protesters barricaded roads in Mali's capital, Bamako, on July 10, 2020. [AP Photo]

Al-Qaida and Islamic State extremist groups are driving insecurity in central Mali and continue to clash near populated areas in the northern Gao and Menaka regions, the U.N. chief said in a new report circulated Monday.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "the level and frequency of incidents of violence remain exceptionally high," with attacks by "violent extremist groups" against civilians accounting for the majority of documented human rights abuses.