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Rebel assault on strategic Mali garrison town of Gao | Rebel assault on strategic Mali garrison town of Gao |
(40 minutes later) | |
Tuareg rebels in Mali have attacked the strategic northern garrison town of Gao with heavy weapons, hours after another town, Kidal, fell to them. | Tuareg rebels in Mali have attacked the strategic northern garrison town of Gao with heavy weapons, hours after another town, Kidal, fell to them. |
Two army helicopters were scrambled in response, a local official told AFP news agency by phone. | Two army helicopters were scrambled in response, a local official told AFP news agency by phone. |
Gao, with a population of 87,000, more than twice the size of Kidal, hosts one of the biggest garrisons in the north. | 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. |
A regional group, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), has placed on alert a peacekeeping force of 2,000 soldiers, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. | |
After a coup by disgruntled military officers in Mali a week ago, Ecowas has threatened to close land borders, freeze assets and impose a financial blockade if the army does not stand aside before Monday. | |
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has now advised against all travel to Mali and urges any British citizens currently there to leave. | |
'People running' | 'People running' |
"We can hear heavy fire coming in the direction of the main military camp," a Reuters reporter said. | "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." |
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." | 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." |
Before the coup, Mali's government forces had struggled to drive back the rebels. | |
The mid-ranking officers who overthrew the government said the army needed more equipment to fight. | |
Their leader, Capt Amadou Sanogo, has asked for foreign help to tackle the rebels but has been condemned over the coup. | |
Three members of the military leadership have gone to neighbouring Burkina Faso for talks with President Blaise Compaore, who is mediating in the crisis. | 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 Tuareg fought side by side with Islamist fighters to take over Kidal, the BBC's Thomas Fessy reports from Dakar. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Tuaregs have launched several rebellions over the years, complaining that the government in Bamako ignores them. |