Abdelhamid Abou Zeid in 2012 took control of an ancient city in Mali, situated 20 km north of what river?
Abdelhamid Abou Zeid Abdelhamid Abou Zeid (born Mohamed Ghadir; 1965 – 25 February 2013) was an Algerian national and Islamist "jihadi" militant and smuggler who, in about 2010, became one of the top three military commanders of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a Mali-based militant organization. He competed as the chief rival of Mokhtar Belmokhtar, an Algerian national who had become the major commander in AQIM and later head of his own group. Both gained wealth and power by kidnapping and ransoming European nationals. After taking control of Timbuktu in 2012, Abou Zeid established "sharia" law and destroyed Sufi shrines.
Bangassou Bangassou is a city in the south eastern Central African Republic, lying on the north bank of the Mbomou River. It has a population of 24,447 (2003 census) and is the capital of the Mbomou prefecture. It is known for its wildlife, market, and nearby airport and is linked by ferry to the Democratic Republic of Congo on the south bank. The city is also home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bangassou.