UN experts say Islamic State group almost doubled the territory they control in Mali in under a year

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Islamic State extremists have almost doubled the territory they control in the West African country of Mali in less than a year. Their al-Qaida-linked rivals, meanwhile, are also capitalizing on the deadlock and perceived weakness of armed groups that signed a 2015 peace agreement. It’s all part of a new report from United Nations experts. The stalled implementation of the peace deal and sustained attacks on communities have offered the Islamic State group and al-Qaida affiliates a chance “to re-enact the 2012 scenario,” they said in the report circulated Friday, referencing the year a military coup that took place with rebels in the north forming an Islamic state two months later.