Fresh fighting erupted Sunday in the key Malian northern city of Kidal between rebels and government forces backed by Russian mercenaries, Tuareg rebels and a local politician told AFP.
"Fighting resumed in Kidal this morning. We want to drive out the last Russian fighters who have taken refuge in a camp," a spokesman for the Tuareg rebels said, in comments confirmed by an elected local official.
Jihadists and Tuareg rebels on Saturday claimed attacks against the army across the junta-ruled Sahel state, saying the two groups had joined forces to launch what was one of the most complex attacks in years in the impoverished west African country.
Read moreJihadist and Tuareg rebels claim attacks across Mali
The groups launched surprise dawn attacks around the capital Bamako and other regions, and Tuareg rebels said they had seized the northern city of Kidal.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned "acts of violence" in Mali and stressed the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
"The Secretary General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali," his spokesman said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs," spokesman Stephane Dujarric added.
Since 2012 Mali has grappled with a security crisis, with attacks by jihadists, criminal groups and separatists killing thousands and displacing tens of thousands more.
The junta that seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021 said it was doing so to battle the jihadists more effectively, but attacks have continued.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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