Senegal has launched an offensive against separatist rebels in the southern region of Casamance.
The military is bombarding the bases of Salif Sadio, who leads an MFDC faction.
Local media say civilians are fleeing the area. Four Senegalese soldiers were killed and seven captured during fighting with the MFDC in January near the border with The Gambia. The seven hostages were later released.
There has been a low-level separatist conflict in Casamance for the past 40 years.