Mali Rebels Claim to Have Captured Several Soldiers

An alliance of armed groups in northern Mali said it has taken several soldiers prisoner and killed a dozen others, while losing eight of its own fighters in a recent operation. The alliance — which includes the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), a coalition of separatist groups dominated by ethnic Tuaregs — also claimed it shot down two planes during the attack Sunday on two military camps. Its account of events, which took place in the town of Lere in the Timbuktu region, diverged from that of the Malian army. The army said five soldiers were killed and 11 others…