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Rebel attack reported on strategic Mali town of Gao Rebel assault on strategic Mali garrison town of Gao
(40 minutes later)
Witnesses in the key town of Gao in northern Mali have reported an attack by Tuareg rebels hours after another town, Kidal, fell to the rebels. Tuareg rebels in Mali have attacked the strategic northern garrison town of Gao with heavy weapons, hours after another town, Kidal, fell to them.
Heavy gunfire was being directed towards the town's military camp, the biggest garrison in the north, a Reuters reporter said by phone. Two army helicopters were scrambled in response, a local official told AFP news agency by phone.
A soldier who spoke to the Associated Press also spoke of heavy gunfire. Gao, with a population of 87,000, more than twice the size of Kidal, hosts one of the biggest garrisons in the north.
Separatist rebels seeking to carve out a desert homeland began a rebellion in the west African state in January.Separatist rebels seeking to carve out a desert homeland began a rebellion in the west African state in January.
"We can hear heavy fire coming in the direction of the main military camp," the Reuters reporter said. 'People running'
"We can hear heavy fire coming in the direction of the main military camp," a Reuters reporter said.
"People here are running all over the place and all the shops are closing.""People here are running all over the place and all the shops are closing."
Mali's government forces have struggled to drive back the rebels and the military overthrew the government this month, saying the army needed more equipment to fight. Mahamane Diakite, an aide to the governor of Gao, told AFP: "We can hear heavy weapons fire. We have also seen two helicopters taking off to shoot. Rebels have entered the town."
Mali's government forces have struggled to drive back the rebels. Mid-ranking officers in the military overthrew the government this month, saying the army needed more equipment to fight.
Coup leader Capt Amadou Sanogo has asked for foreign help to tackle the rebels but his coup has been condemned, with neighbouring states threatening sanctions.Coup leader Capt Amadou Sanogo has asked for foreign help to tackle the rebels but his coup has been condemned, with neighbouring states threatening sanctions.
Three members of the military leadership have gone to neighbouring Burkina Faso for talks with President Blaise Compaore, who is mediating in the crisis.
The regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), has said it will close land borders, freeze Mali's assets and impose a financial blockade if the army does not stand aside before Monday.The regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), has said it will close land borders, freeze Mali's assets and impose a financial blockade if the army does not stand aside before Monday.
They have also placed a peacekeeping force on standby.They have also placed a peacekeeping force on standby.
The Tuareg fought side by side with Islamist fighters to take over Kidal, the BBC's Thomas Fessy reports from Dakar.
However, it is not clear how they will share their success, our correspondent says.
Rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) want an independent north while a smaller, Islamist group called the Ansar Edine wants to impose Sharia law.
Azawad is the Tuareg name for their home region in the Sahara Desert.
Tuaregs have launched several rebellions over the years, complaining that the government in Bamako ignores them.