The Azawad National Liberation Movement (MNLA), which wants independence for the northern region of Mali, took up arms last month and has launched attacks on northern towns and army bases.
Meanwhile, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), at least 30,000 displaced people in Mali were in desperate condition because of the fighting in the north of the country since mid-January. In Aguelhoc, 150km northeast of Kidal in northeastern Mali, the bloody fighting has forced an estimated 4 000 people to abandon their homes. Most had little food and lived in makeshift shelters in the semi-arid region. Some have found shelter with host families.
It came after many Tuareg fighters returned from Libya, where they had fought alongside Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
Rights groups have urged the government, meanwhile, not to bomb civilians.
The resurgence in fighting follows two years of relative peace between the government and the Tuareg.
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