Clashes broke out in Bamako last month related to the rebellion
Smoke rises on a Bamako street last month during clashes between security forces and relatives of Malian soldiers fighting Tuareg rebels in the north, who were protesting against a 'weak' response to rebel attacks. An armed Islamist group led by an influential Tuareg rebel fighting for autonomy in northern Mali called for the national imposition of Sharia law in a video seen Tuesday by AFP.