ANEFIS, Mali, Aug. 18 (UPI) — Pro-government militia seized a town in northeastern Mali over the weekend, killing more than a dozen rival militants, according to reports.
The attack occurred in the Kidal region, in the town of Anefis, a stronghold of rebel group Coordination of Azawad Movement, or CMA, also known as the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad.
Fahad Ag Almahmoud, secretary general of Gatia militia, a member of CMA, told Xinhua news agency 15 CMA fighters were killed and the town lost.
Witnesses described CMA vehicles burning and two of the group’s leader being taken into custody.
Fighting first resumed Saturday in Touzek Oued, southeast of the city of Kidal between Tabankort and Anefis, according to a press release by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, or MINUSMA.
The fighting violates a peace agreement both the CMA and pro-government Plateform Coalition signed with the Malian government in June.
MINUSMA has condemned the renewed violence and vowed to take action in protection of civilians.
Xinhua quoted Prime Minister Modibo Keita as saying the “situation has considerably deteriorated after the resumption of fighting between armed groups, something that threatens the peace process.”
Multiple armed groups operate in Mali, including the Algeria-based al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.
The fighting comes less than two weeks after gunmen stormed the Byblos Hotel in Sevare, Mali, taking hostages and killing at least 13 people.
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