afrol News, 22 May - An armed attacks in northern Mali's Abeibara town has left at least 27 people dead, Malian Defence Ministry confirmed.

Armed bandits unleashed attacks on Abeibara army post on 20 and 21 May, resulting to the death of 10 government soldiers and 17 bandits. Twenty-five people have been wounded on both sides.

At first, most people blamed fighters loyal to the Tuareg rebel leader Ibrahim Ag Bahanga for carrying out the attack.

Last month, Malian government and Mr Bahanga's group signed a truce to end armed conflict in the northern region.

The Tripoli accord was signed after a mediation led by Libyan authorities had taken place.

Both sides had agreed to ceasefire, stop hostilities and create conditions that would bring "a long-term settlement."

Mali and Bahanga's group had frequently clashed over control over parts of the northern region. But the new deal led to the release of more than 30 captured Malian soldiers held by the rebels.

Bahanga's group that opposed the 2005 accord signed in Algiers, Algeria, had been based in the mountainous desert area along the Mali-Algeria border.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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