BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A new Tuareg rebel group, whose members include former pro-Gadhafi fighters, say they have launched a second day of attacks in northern Mali towns.
Moussa Ag Acharatoumane, a leader of the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad, said Wednesday the group has taken control of the town of Aguel'hoc and is fighting for Tessalit.
Col. Idrissa Traore, spokesman for Mali's Armed Forces, confirmed fighting in those towns but did not provide details.
On Tuesday, the NMLA attacked the eastern town of Menaka. The armed forces said many attackers and one government soldier were killed. However, Hama Ag Sid'Ahmed, a spokesman for the NMLA, said that the rebels killed many government soldiers and suffered no fatalities.
Members of the Tuareg ethnic group live in several nations in northwest Africa.
Shares