The Malian military government on Monday began returning the historic manuscripts of Timbuktu, which were smuggled out of the northern city when it was occupied by al-Qaida-linked militants more than a decade ago. Islamic extremists destroyed more than 4 000 manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th century, after seizing Timbuktu in 2012, according to the findings of a United Nations expert mission. They also destroyed nine mausoleums and a mosque door, leaving only one of the buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage list intact.

For more on this, Malian filmmaker Andrey Diarra joins us on the line.

<p>The Malian military government on Monday began returning the historic manuscripts of Timbuktu, which were smuggled out of the northern city when it was occupied by al-Qaida-linked militants more than a decade ago. Islamic extremists destroyed more than 4 000 manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th century, after seizing Timbuktu in 2012, according to the findings of a United Nations expert mission. They also destroyed nine mausoleums and a mosque door, leaving only one of the buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage list intact.</p>
<p>For more on this, Malian filmmaker Andrey Diarra joins us on the line.</p>