French forces are fighting the remaining Islamists in Timbuktu , Mali . `` The International Criminal Court calls this a war crime . Timbuktu is a UNESCO World Heritage site of huge cultural significance . The city was once one of the most important cities on earth and has been under threat from Islamist militants for years now. UNESCO has called for the protection of the ancient city of Timbuktu .
French forces are fighting the remaining Islamists in Timbuktu , Mali . Timbuktu is a UNESCO World Heritage site of huge cultural significance . The city was once one of the most important cities on earth and has been under threat from Islamist militants for years now. UNESCO has called for the protection of the ancient city of Timbuktu .