GENEVA, Rabi'II 12, 1434, Feb 22, 2013, SPA -- The conflict in northern Mali risks dragging on for months, cutting off civilians from aid and basic services in a Somalia-like situation, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned on Friday, Reuters reported. The independent agency said that it had become harder to contact armed Islamist groups and determine who was in control of territory to get security guarantees for its aid convoys. But in anticipation of further clashes and suicide bombings, it was stocking medical supplies at a hospital in the northern town of Gao, where it said six wounded Malian soldiers were treated on Thursday, while other wounded were evacuated to the capital Bamako. "Contrary to what some people may have thought after the French and Malian armies retook major cities, the situation is not stable nor is it suitable for civilians to return," Jean-Nicolas Marti, head of ICRC regional delegation for Mali and Niger, told reporters in Geneva. -- SPA 18:38 LOCAL TIME 15:38 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1080932