Mali separatists reject U.N. exclusion zone around northern towns

Children watch as a Minusma peacekeeping armored vehicle drive past in Kidal, Mali, July 23, 2015. REUTERS/Adama Diarra

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Separatists in Mali told U.N. peacekeepers on Wednesday to remove a security zone set up around northern towns to forestall further violence with pro-government militias that has undermined a peace accord.

The demand will likely raise tension between the separatist Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and the Platform pro-government militias and make it harder for the U.N. mission (MINUSMA) to restore a fragile peace.