MNLA attack toll rises to 4 in northern Mali ahead of polls

At least four people have died and several others were injured in attacks by the separatist group MNLA in Mali's northern town of Kidal, only days ahead of the presidential polls, according to Defense Minister Yamoussa Camara of the West African country. "Four people have been killed, several others injured and shops as well as houses of the targeted population were ransacked and looted," Camara told media on Friday night. The casualties were caused between Thursday night and Friday morning in Kidal, the stronghold of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), against the black population supporting the Malian government, the minister said. Initial reports put the toll at one in the clash between the local black and the Tuareg rebels. The Malian minister said some victims were taking refuge in the military barracks of the army and the foreign forces deployed to help restore Mali's territorial integrity. He pledged that the Malian forces were patrolling in the town of Kidal to protect local citizens. Meanwhile, a statement of the Defense Ministry said, "The minister expressed his deep regret at the serious violation of the Ouagadougou agreement at the moment when the entire community is working together to restore peace and security in northern Mali." The MNLA maintains its presence around Kidal after signing a preliminary peace agreement with the government in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on June 18. Under the peace accord, the MNLA fighters will be placed in camps in Kidal, from where they will be disarmed under the supervision of the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Mission for Stabilization of Mali (MINUSMA). The latest clash put the July 28 election to test. Although the planned vote is considered a hasty move by many analysts, the country is expected to end the crisis with it since March 22, 2012, when the military took over state power in a coup and rebels swept through the northern part soon afterwards. In January 2013, the Malian army fought back with the support of France and other African countries, regaining control of all northern towns except Kidal under the occupation of the MNLA, which was invited to talks for a peaceful solution.