Witnesses in a restive northern Mali town say fighting has broken out between Taureg rebels and Islamist militants.

Residents say gunfire erupted in the center of Gao on Wednesday between the Tuareg separatist MNLA and the MUJAO militant group.

A VOA reporter says residents took shelter in their homes as the two sides fire heavy weapons at each other. There are unconfirmed reports of casualties.

The MNLA and the Islamist militant group Ansar Dine seized control of northern Mali earlier this year. In recent weeks, however, fighting has broken out between Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants.

In the capital, Bamako, northern refugees protested for a second straight day outside the prime minister's office calling for government intervention in the north.

Hundreds gathered for a sit-in, chanting “Free the North” and “Send the army to the North.”

The Malian army is struggling to reorganize after a coup earlier this year.

Since then a interim government has taken control, but its future is unclear as interim leaders work to organize new elections.