The Mali War has been ongoing since 2012. In it, different groups, some of them close to the Tuareg people, are fighting for the independence of a territory known as Azawad. Azawad is mostly a desert-like steppe. United Nations has reported several human rights violations, both by the forces close to the government, and the different rebel groups. Allegedly, there have been amputations, floggings, and executions. A couple was stoned in 2012, for allegegly having an extra-marital affair. Based on these report, the International Criminal Court has started investigations into war crimes, and human rights abuses. According to the BBC, about 250.000 people have fled from the fighting, and are now refugees. Another problem is that World heritage sites are threatened by the combats. There are mosques built of mud, in Timbuktu, which are threatened.