Mali: Rebels Say They Have Captured 19 Soldiers

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/world/africa/mali-rebels-say-they-have-captured-19-soldiers.html

Version 0 of 1.

A rebel coalition said Saturday that it was holding 19 Malian soldiers captured in fighting a day earlier as growing violence in the north threatens to derail peace efforts brokered by the United Nations. Army officials confirmed that the soldiers were missing after clashes in the town of Tessit in the northern Gao region. Photographs released by the rebels showed at least a dozen men with their hands tied behind their backs and surrounded by rebel fighters. It was not immediately possible to independently authenticate the images or identify the captives. A cease-fire deal was signed among the government, its allies and northern separatist groups last year, but violations of the agreement have increased since pro-government fighters seized the town of Menaka last month.