Mali alert

This item appears on page 22 of the February 2009 issue.

Due to recent armed conflicts, kidnappings, armed robberies and the continued presence of Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Department of State recommends avoiding all travel to northern Mali.

Areas of particular concern include the Mali-Niger and Mali-Algeria borders, the Kidal region and areas north of Timbuktu.Â