The Malian army has abandoned several positions in Gao, its second-largest military region, after fierce fighting at the weekend, locals said on Tuesday.The withdrawal follows fierce fighting at the weekend pitting the army against allied jihadists and Tuareg separatists.
"The military have abandoned their position in Labbezanga, near the Niger border. They have withdrawn to Ansogo," a local politician told AFP on condition of anonymity.
A resident of Labbezanga village, which is southeast of Gao town, also confirmed the troops' departure.
The Gao region is the ruling junta's second-largest stronghold, after that of Kati, which is a garrison town that was targeted in the weekend attacks.
Kidal, another key northern town, has fallen under the control of the Tuareg rebels and their Islamist allies since the weekend.
The allied armed groups launched coordinated attacks on strategic junta positions on Saturday, including near the capital Bamako.
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