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Mali: Islamist clashes outside Gao town hall Mali: Islamist clashes outside Gao town hall
(about 3 hours later)
Malian troops are battling Islamist fighters near the town hall in Gao, the main city in northern Mali, an army spokesman has told the BBC.Malian troops are battling Islamist fighters near the town hall in Gao, the main city in northern Mali, an army spokesman has told the BBC.
The fighting has left the town's main courthouse in flames, according to reports.The fighting has left the town's main courthouse in flames, according to reports.
It is not the first time a group of militants have infiltrated Gao since French troops recaptured it last month.It is not the first time a group of militants have infiltrated Gao since French troops recaptured it last month.
There are also reports of a car bomb near a French military camp in Kidal, the most northerly town in Mali.There are also reports of a car bomb near a French military camp in Kidal, the most northerly town in Mali.
France intervened last month to help the Malian army oust Islamist militants who seized the north of Mali last year.France intervened last month to help the Malian army oust Islamist militants who seized the north of Mali last year.
Thousands of soldiers from African countries have also been deploying since then.Thousands of soldiers from African countries have also been deploying since then.
'Ordered to attack''Ordered to attack'
Heavy gunfire was heard overnight in Gao - and the fighting has reportedly left the streets largely deserted.Heavy gunfire was heard overnight in Gao - and the fighting has reportedly left the streets largely deserted.
Six Malian military pickup trucks have been deployed in the city's Independence Square and had opened fire with the heavy machineguns, Reuters new agency reports.Six Malian military pickup trucks have been deployed in the city's Independence Square and had opened fire with the heavy machineguns, Reuters new agency reports.
Gao's mayor Sadou Harouna Diallo told the BBC he was hiding inside the town hall and could hear the shooting outside at around midday.Gao's mayor Sadou Harouna Diallo told the BBC he was hiding inside the town hall and could hear the shooting outside at around midday.
Malian army spokesman Diaran Kone told the BBC between 20 and 40 militants had infiltrated the city on Wednesday night between 23:00 and midnight.Malian army spokesman Diaran Kone told the BBC between 20 and 40 militants had infiltrated the city on Wednesday night between 23:00 and midnight.
Three of the rebels were killed overnight by members of the African intervention force in Gao, he said.Three of the rebels were killed overnight by members of the African intervention force in Gao, he said.
The BBC's Maud Jullien in the capital, Bamako, says the courthouse was the headquarters for the Mujao Islamist group when it was in control of Gao. A spokesman for Mujao, the Islamist group which controlled Gao for nine months, said their fighters had entered Gao on Wednesday.
A Mujao spokesman, Abu Walid Sahraoui, told AFP its fighters had entered Gao on Wednesday. "Our troops have been ordered to attack. If the enemy is stronger, we'll pull back only to return stronger, until we liberate Gao," Abu Walid Sahraoui told AFP.
"Our troops have been ordered to attack. If the enemy is stronger, we'll pull back only to return stronger, until we liberate Gao," he said. The BBC's Maud Jullien in the capital, Bamako, says it is difficult to get information from Kidal.
Our correspondent says it is difficult to get information from Kidal.
But early reports suggest a black car drove up to a private residence about 500m (1,640ft) from camp where French and Chadian soldiers are based and exploded, killing one person and injuring two others, she says.But early reports suggest a black car drove up to a private residence about 500m (1,640ft) from camp where French and Chadian soldiers are based and exploded, killing one person and injuring two others, she says.
Earlier this month, two suicide attacks in Gao - the first in Mali's history - followed by fierce fighting in the town have led to fears it may be a long battle to bring security to the vast desert region.Earlier this month, two suicide attacks in Gao - the first in Mali's history - followed by fierce fighting in the town have led to fears it may be a long battle to bring security to the vast desert region.
France has said wants to start withdrawing its 4,000 soldiers from its former colony next month - and would like the African-led mission to become a UN peacekeeping operation.France has said wants to start withdrawing its 4,000 soldiers from its former colony next month - and would like the African-led mission to become a UN peacekeeping operation.