Algeria reopens border with Mali

Algeria has temporarily reopened its border with Mali for humanitarian concerns, a source from the Algerian Interior Ministry said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.
The move is temporary and exclusive for the transportation of humanitarian aids to those who live in the violence-hit north of Mali, the source said.
In January last year Algeria closed its land border with Mali because of the chaos after Tuareg separatist rebels and extremist groups linking to al-Qaida seized the northern part of the country.
At the request of the Malian authorities, France launched air and ground operations last year to help dispel Islamist insurgents from the region, after which efforts for reconciliation and dialogues have also been exerted to restore peace there.
Earlier in May the Malian government reached a ceasefire agreement with three main rebel groups operating in northern Mali. But the recent outburst of clashes has been threatening to throw the West African country, which has just started to enjoy relative stability, back into unrest. Dozens of citizens were killed during clashes between Tuareg fighters and government forces in Kidal in May when Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara was visiting the northern town.
Algeria has been reinforcing its troops on the border with Mali, preparing for possible intrusion of militants and weapons.