At least seven dead in north Mali clashes

At least seven people have been killed in clashes between rival armed Tuareg groups and their allies in northern Mali. 

The fighting took place south of Gao, the main town in northern Mali, and lasted more than six hours. 

Report says the fighters are from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and a rival movement known by its French acronym GATIA. 

The MNLA is one of six northern armed groups taking part in peace talks, which started last July, with the Malian government in neighbouring Algeria.

News24