MALI—UNESCO has asked French and Malian forces to protect the country’s ancient cultural heritage sites during air raids and ground attacks, by providing maps showing the locations of heritage sites and brochures for soldiers on preventing damage to them. In 2012, historic buildings in Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were severely damaged by Islamist rebel forces. “The current military intervention must protect people and secure the cultural heritage of Mali,” said Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General.