Dozens killed in CAR clashes

Dozens of people were killed in a series of fresh clashes between armed groups in the central part of Central African Republic (CAR) over the weekend, an armed group source told Xinhua by phone Monday.

Younouss Ngabdija, an official of the former rebel coalition Seleka, said his group has lost five of its fighters in battles against rival anti-Balaka militants in Bambari and Bakala Saturday.

"On Dec 20, anti-Balaka fighters attacked us by surprise in a place around 30 km away from Bambari. We had an exchange of fire. Seven people were killed during the fighting, three are our soldiers and four anti-Balaka fighters," Ngabdija said.

He said some other clashes took place in Bakala, about 70 km away from Bambari, Saturday between the largely Muslim Seleka alliance and anti-Balaka alliance, formed by the Christian majority.

"The clashes left two former Seleka fighters and a large number of anti-Balaka fighters dead," Ngabdija said.

These incidents happened after the anti-Balakas militia failed to sign an agreement to cease hostilities towards former Seleka coalition, Ngabdija said.