Dozens of Tuareg rebels dead in Mali clash

Two days of fierce clashes between the Malian army and Tuareg rebels

Dozens of Tuareg rebels dead in Mali clash

Forty-five Tuareg rebels have been killed in two days of fierce clashes with Mali's government troops.

The country's military says two soldiers also died in the fighting in the vast desert area of northern Mali.

Some of the rebels returned from Libya where they had been part of Col Muammar Gaddafi's security forces.

The Tuareg is calling for an autonomous Azawad region in the north of Mali.

Damages

Mali's defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday that "The attackers suffered heavy losses."

It said several vehicles were destroyed during the clashes, and three towns in the desert, including Tessalit and Aguel'hoc- were now under the army's control.

At least eight people, including government troops, were injured.

The ministry said the rebels were members of the newly formed National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (NLMA).

The rebels have not publicly commented on the statement.

BBC/Adekusibe/Cokey