Militants Islamist in Mali say they have entered the key central town of Konna, advancing further into government-held territory.
This is the most serious fighting since Islamist groups captured the north from government forces in April 2012. The army has not commented on the claim by the Ansar Dine group that its fighters are in Konna.
Earlier, it said it had advanced on Douentza, a central town held by another Islamist group. A resident in Douentza said no fighting had so far taken place for control of the town, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of the capital, Bamako. It was still in the hands of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), the resident said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20970604