30/09/2013 10:50
Mali: Gun battle between 'rebels' and soldiers in Kidal
A gun battle has erupted between Malian soldiers and suspected separatist rebels in Kidal in the north, sparking fears that the violence could escalate, the BBC reported.
Gunmen attacked soldiers guarding a bank in the town, who returned fire.
Residents and an unnamed official said the gunmen were rebels from a Tuareg group who days ago announced they were pulling out of a peace deal.
June's ceasefire followed more than a year of fighting that prompted an intervention by French troops.
French troops remain stationed in northern Mali and the Malian army has controversially returned to Kidal.
The provincial capital had been in the hands of rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) for months.
The regional governor, Adama Kamissoko told the AFP news agency from Kidal that "a lot of shots" were being fired in the city, adding: "Armed men are shooting and the Malian soldiers have retaliated."
He said he did not know who the gunmen were, but an unnamed source from his office and some residents said it was the MNLA, who the unnamed source explained "never wanted the army around."
There was no information about casualties in the clash.