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Clashes between armed groups in N. Mali leave 15 dead

Xinhua, August 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rival armed groups in northern Mali clashed in Anefis town over the weekend, leaving 15 fighters of the rebel group Coordination of Azawad Movement (CMA) dead, a CMA source told Xinhua.

Anefis, a stronghold of CMA, was captured by a pro-government militia after the fighting, said Fahad Ag Almahmoud, secretary general of Gatia militia, a member of CMA.

The fighting is the first apparent breach of a peace agreement the armed groups signed with the government in June.

Eyewitnesses said several CMA vehicles were burnt and two of the group's leaders were "taken into custody".

Prime Minister Modibo Keita has expressed concerns about the recent upsurge in armed group clashes.

"The situation has considerably deteriorated after the resumption of fighting between armed groups, something that threatens the peace process," Keita said.

The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) condemned the clashes and vowed to take actions to protect the endangered civilians. Enditem