Mali arrests leader of Islamist group linked to deadly attack on troops

Coffins are seen draped in Malian flags at a funeral for 17 soldiers who were killed earlier this week in Segou, Mali, July 21, 2016. Picture taken July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Mamadou Camara

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Malian forces arrested a regional leader of Islamist group Ansar Dine in central Mali on Tuesday, after it claimed an attack in the region that killed 17 soldiers, the army spokesman said.

Ansar Dine laid claim to the attack last week by gunmen who fired on troop positions, burned buildings and pillaged shops, killing 17 Malian soldiers and wounded 35 on an army base in the central town of Nampala last week.