Russia sends humanitarian aid to Mali

An Il-76 cargo aircraft took off from Ramenskoye airfield near Moscow earlier today with a total of 40 tons of humanitarian aid on board, namely tents, blankets, prime commodities and foodstuffs.

The Mali crisis erupted in March 2012 after the military had overthrown the Head of State.

The armed Islamists, who had taken control of the north of the country, took advantage of the situation and launched an offensive on the central areas of Mali.

The French military has come to the rescue of Malians and is now engaged in an antiterrorist operation in the north, Itar Tass reports.