Those inhabiting this area are nomadic herders called the Tuareg or “blue men.” The Tuareg have been around since the 4th century AD, roaming the deserts of Libya, Algeria, Mali, Niger ...

Some of their cheeks are stained with indigo dye from their turbans, an age-old mark of the Tuareg that led early visitors to dub them the "blue men." The rebels' medic invites me to join his group.