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Mali Tuareg rebels kidnap officials amid deadly clashes Mali Tuareg rebels kidnap soldiers amid deadly clashes
(about 5 hours later)
Deadly clashes have broken out in northern Mali between soldiers and rebels, who seized dozens of officials as the prime minister visited the area. Deadly clashes have broken out in northern Mali between the army and rebels, who seized 28 people as the prime minister visited the area.
At least 36 people reportedly died in Kidal as Tuareg rebels fought troops on Saturday before and during PM Moussa Mara's visit.At least 36 people reportedly died in Kidal as Tuareg rebels fought troops on Saturday before and during PM Moussa Mara's visit.
When he left the governor's office in Kidal, the building was then seized by the rebels, an eyewitness told the BBC. When he left the governor's office in Kidal, the building was seized by the rebels, an eyewitness told the BBC.
In 2012 a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup.In 2012 a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup.
Civilian rule was re-established in 2013, but Islamist and separatist forces remain active in some areas.Civilian rule was re-established in 2013, but Islamist and separatist forces remain active in some areas.
"Eight members of the armed forces were killed and 25 were wounded, while 28 of the attackers were killed," the defence ministry said."Eight members of the armed forces were killed and 25 were wounded, while 28 of the attackers were killed," the defence ministry said.
Mr Mara said that the government was now "at war" with the separatists. President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita is expected to give a national address on Monday.Mr Mara said that the government was now "at war" with the separatists. President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita is expected to give a national address on Monday.
Malian Defence Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga said on Sunday that reinforcements would be sent to Kidal.Malian Defence Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga said on Sunday that reinforcements would be sent to Kidal.
"We will double our troops on the ground if necessary," AFP news agency quoted him as saying."We will double our troops on the ground if necessary," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
Mr Mara spent Saturday night at the Malian army camp in Kidal, flying to Gao early on Sunday morning.
Rebel controlRebel control
The rebels are thought to be from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). The rebels are from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).
An MNLA spokesman told Reuters that the army had attacked the group first, following pro-independence protests in the town. MNLA spokesman Moussa Ag Assarid told the BBC those seized- four civil servants and 24 Malian soldiers - were being held because the Malian government had failed to live up to its commitment to move towards peace talks.
"We've taken about 40 prisoners, including high-ranking military officers and civil servants," Attaye Ag Mohamed said, adding that the hostages were safe and that the MNLA was controlling key parts of Kidal. Initially 32 people had been seized but the MNLA spokesman said four who were injured had been released to the Red Cross.
The civil servants were seized when the rebels occupied the Kidal governor's office and their whereabouts are unclear, the BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from the capital, Bamako. The United Nations is attempting to negotiate a truce between the Malian army and Tuareg rebels the BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from the capital, Bamako.
The hostages are officials posted in the town by Mali's government as a mark of sovereignty, our correspondent adds. The civil servants were posted in the town by Mali's government as a mark of sovereignty, our correspondent adds.
Further shooting was heard on Sunday and the governor's office was still under rebel control, but the intensity of fighting was unclear, our correspondent adds. Further shooting was heard on Sunday and the governor's office was still under rebel control, but the intensity of fighting was unclear.