Bamako, Mali - The Malian government has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate atrocities allegedly committed by Tuareg rebels in Aguel'hoc, northern Mali, where citizens have come under attacks by Libyan fighters who returned to Mali after the fall of Mouammar Kadhafi.

According to a statement from the Malian presidency, published Monday, the investigation is to shed light on the atrocities and determine whether the cases should be referred to national and international courts.

In the statement, the Malian government praised 'the heroic and professional behavior of our armed and security forces who, at the cost of their lives, have been able to accomplish their mission of protecting the people.'

Backed by elements of the Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other assailants, fighters returning from Libya, who are believed to be Tuareg rebels, attacked Aguel'hoc in the Kidal region in the far north on 24 January, committing various forms of atrocities.

Many civilians, military personnel as well as the attackers were killed, but the exact death toll is yet to be known.

Recently, heavily armed Tuareg fighters returning from Libya, under the Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), attacked several locations in the three northern Malian regions -- Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal -- calling for the independence of the northern part of Mali.

Pana 01/02/2012