Mauritania refuses to host wounded Tuareg rebels after clash with Malian army

Mauritania has declined demands by Malian Tuareg rebels fighting the Malian army to host wounded fighters for medical treatment, local media alakhbar reports citing an official source.

The northern Malian historic city of Timbuktu, near the Mauritania border, has been the focus of fighting between the Malian army and a rebel group called the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), formed by semi-nomadic Tuareg people.

The Malian army launched an offensive in August to flash out the rebel who control the region around the city.

The clashes have turned fierce since Sunday September 17. The Malian army announced the loss of five soldiers and an aircraft. It also claimed the killing of seven rebels and the destruction of eight vehicles belonging to the rebels.

The rebels on their part claimed taking soldiers hostage and seizing two army bases in Lere city.

A Mauritania source who asked not to be named told alakhbar that Nouakchott has turned down the rebels’ request to treat injured fighters on its soil. The source also added that Nouakchott does not want to be involved in an external conflict. The two sides should engage in talks and solve peacefully their problems, the source added.