Is the ancient city Timbuktu in peril?

Timbuktu is a remote ancient city located in Mali, West Africa. It’s considered the birthplace of one the earliest African civilizations. The city’s 700,000 ancient manuscripts preserved in 60 libraries provide a window into the complex lifestyle of these early Africans who were more than just scholars. They were innovators, merchants and aristocrats. A recent BBC article discusses how Timbuktu’s historical artifacts are under attack by radical Islamists. How would the destruction of Timbuktu impact the world?