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France sends 100 extra troops to Mali

Clashes between Malian forces and Tuareg separatists prompted Paris to send reinforcements to join the 1,600 French troops already in Mali.

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France is sending an extra 100 troops to Mali after an outbreak of violence this week in the north of the country between government forces and Tuareg separatists, an army spokesman said on Wednesday, reports Reuters.

Machine gun and heavy weapons fire broke out again on Wednesday in Kidal following clashes at the weekend which killed at least eight Malian soldiers and eight civilians including six government officials.

"The decision has been taken to bring forces from Abidjan to Gao given the current period of tension," spokesman Gilles Jaron told reporters.

He said about 100 soldiers were being sent which would take French troop numbers to 1,700 in its former colony.

Read more of this report from Reuters.