Mauritania: Algerian Al-Qaeda 'leader killed in clash'

Nouakchott, 6 July (AKI) - An Al-Qaeda leader of Algerian nationality was among 20 militants killed in southern Mauritania during a clash with military forces, according to Qatar-based Al-Arab newspaper.

Mauritanian forces on Tuesday reportedly responded to an attack on a military base in Bassiknou on the border with Mali by launching a counter-offensive against forces from The Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb, the terror network's North African branch.

The firefight lasted around 45 minutes and afterward Mauritanian forces chased the militants into Mali, CNN reported, citing unnamed sources. Ten insurgents were captured during the standoff.

The Mauritanian military has conducted a series of operations with the help of France to fight suspected terrorists. In July last year, France helped Mauritanian soldiers in a mission that killed six alleged militants near the Mali border.

North and West Africa are considered areas of high-risk from the threat of terrorist and organised crime networks.