Mali Tuareg rebels kidnap officials amid deadly clashes

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Deadly clashes have broken out in northern Mali between soldiers and rebels, who seized dozens of officials as the prime minister visited the area.

At least 36 people reportedly died in Kidal as Tuareg rebels fought troops on Saturday before and during PM Moussa Mara's visit.

When he left the governor's office in Kidal, the building was then seized by the rebels, an eyewitness told the BBC.
...
"We've taken about 40 prisoners, including high-ranking military officers and civil servants," Attaye Ag Mohamed said, adding that the hostages were safe and that the MNLA was controlling key parts of Kidal.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27462324

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Mali is not out of the woods yet.

[seveneyes]

1. Islamist and separatist forces remain active in some areas

Religion by force does not seem like a very peaceful way to govern. The education of militant religion really needs to be curtailed around the world. Seems like they teach them at a very young age to become killers in the name of some gruesome fairy tale characters.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Tuareg rebels 'free Mali hostages'

Some 28 hostages abducted by Tuareg rebels in northern Mali on Saturday have been freed, the UN says.
...
An official from the UN force, known as Minusma, told Agence France-Presse: "We have just taken back the hostages. They are in not bad condition. Two are very tired."

Some 32 hostages were taken on Saturday but four who had been wounded were released the same day.

The rebel National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) confirmed in a statement that its members had delivered the rest of the hostages to aid workers and peacekeepers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27480262

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Mali: Tuareg rebels 'defeat government army in Kidal'

Tuareg rebels in Mali say they have defeated government forces in heavy fighting for control of the key northern town of Kidal.

Several government soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, a rebel spokesman said.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire.
...
The government has not yet commented on the MNLA's claims.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27511448

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Mali Tuareg rebels agree ceasefire in Kidal talks

Rebels in northern Mali have agreed to a ceasefire, two days after clashes with the army threatened to throw the country back into chaos.

Three Tuareg rebel groups occupying the key northern town of Kidal signed the agreement after talks with African Union chairman Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz.

Some 20 Malian soldiers have died since Wednesday in fighting over who holds the town.

The separatists have gained control of much of northern Mali in recent days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27549296