Rival armed groups in Northern Mali, today breached the peace accord which they signed with government in June this year as they clashed in Anefis town, leaving 15 fighters of the rebel group Coordination of Azawad Movement dead.
According to Fahad Almahmoud, secretary general of Gatia militia and member of CMA, Anefis, a stronghold of CMA which was captured by a pro-government militia after the fighting.
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, saying: “the situation has considerably deteriorated after the resumption of fighting between armed groups, something that threatens the peace process.”
The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Mali condemned the clashes and vowed to take actions to protect the endangered civilians. [myad]
