This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6983929.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tuareg rebels seize Niger troops Tuareg rebels seize Niger troops
(10 minutes later)
At least six Niger soldiers have been taken hostage by Tuareg rebel fighters in the northern Agadez region.At least six Niger soldiers have been taken hostage by Tuareg rebel fighters in the northern Agadez region.
The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) rebels also seized arms, ammunition and a vehicle.The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) rebels also seized arms, ammunition and a vehicle.
The BBC's Idy Baraou says a series of raids and landmine blasts has turned the uranium-rich region into a battle ground in the last six months.The BBC's Idy Baraou says a series of raids and landmine blasts has turned the uranium-rich region into a battle ground in the last six months.
The MNJ has killed more than 40 soldiers and military police since taking up arms in February.The MNJ has killed more than 40 soldiers and military police since taking up arms in February.
"Yesterday evening, the justice fighters attacked a military post at Adharous," the MNJ announced on its website."Yesterday evening, the justice fighters attacked a military post at Adharous," the MNJ announced on its website.
"They took the six soldiers on duty hostage, and took a vehicle and munitions.""They took the six soldiers on duty hostage, and took a vehicle and munitions."
A local official confirmed the attack, Reuters news agency reports. Agadez regional governor Abba Malam Boukar confirmed to the BBC that six soldiers from the Niger's Republican Guards had been missing since Thursday following a fierce skirmish with a group of armed men in the village of Adharous, 80km north of the regional capital.
The governor of the Agadez region, Abba Malam Boukar, told Reuters the rebels had tried to destroy water and electricity installations supplying the towns of Tchirozerine and Agadez during the attack but the security forces had fought them off. Mr Boukar told Reuters news agency the rebels had tried to destroy water and electricity installations supplying the towns of Tchirozerine and Agadez during the attack but the security forces had fought them off.
The MNJ says the government is not doing enough to ease poverty for the Tuareg people who live in the Sahara desert.The MNJ says the government is not doing enough to ease poverty for the Tuareg people who live in the Sahara desert.