An Islamist group in northern Mali says it's suspending its pledge to halt hostilities less than a month after it agreed to do so.

The group Ansar Dine said negotiations with the Malian government are ultimately aimed at a military intervention to oust the Islamists, and are not true peace talks. Still, the group said that it remains committed to a dialogue with the Malian government in Bamako even though it is withdrawing its pledge to halt hostilities.

The original offer had drawn skepticism from some observers, who noted the group's links to al-Qaida's North Africa branch.

Ansar Dine also has been behind public executions, amputations and whippings in northern Mali. The group on its website says it seeks autonomy for northern Mali.