The UN Security Council is meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation in Mali.
What began as a localised conflict in Mali has expanded into cross-border ethnic cleansing and the violence has continued to intensify.
As fighting intensifies, some countries are pulling their soldiers out of the peacekeeping force. At the same time, the UN is asking for more troops and resources.
Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports from Gao, northern Mali.
