Turkish charity delivers Ramadan aid to Mali

By Ali Ebubekir Tokcan</p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – A Turkish aid agency on Wednesday began to distribute aid to needy Malians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.</p> <p>The Cansuyu Charity and Solidarity Organization provided aid to Malians who escaped a massacre in March, the agency said in a statement.</p> <p>The agency distributed food packages to 20,000 people. It also provided fast-breaking meals, or iftar, to 5,000, according to the statement.</p> <p>The massacre occurred when militants stormed the Egossagou village March 23, leaving at least 161 people dead and burned many houses.</p> <p>The attacks by the Dogon tribe resulted in thousands migrating to Koulikoro in the southwest.</p> <p>Tensions erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a Touareg rebellion that ultimately allowed al-Qaeda-linked militant groups to take control of the northern half of the country.</p> <p>A peace deal was signed in 2015 between the government and some insurgent groups.</p> <p>Political and community disputes continue to fuel tensions in northern Mali, thus undermining implementation of the peace agreement.</p> <p><p>* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz </p> <p>