French soldier, 10 insurgents dead in Mali clashesMarch 6, 2013 - 21:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French and Malian forces moving into far eastern Mali clashed with jihadist fighters in a spontaneous gunbattle on Wednesday, March 6, leaving a French soldier and about 10 insurgents dead, a French military spokesman said, according to The Associated Press. The skirmish about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Gao, northeast Mali's largest town, marked the latest bloodshed since French forces swooped into the West African nation in January to help its embattled government root out extremist fighters. Mali's regional allies have since contributed hundreds of troops in a support role. Col. Thierry Burkhard, a French military spokesman, said the battle came as a military patrol involving troops from France, Mali, and Niger was extending into a previously uncontrolled territory. Four Malian soldiers were also injured. About 20 French troops were in the patrol led by about 200 Malian soldiers, who drew support from a patrol of Mirage fighter jets and French helicopter gunships, Burkhard said. Sporadic clashes have been common in the area in recent days, he added. With Wednesday's death of the soldier from an artillery regiment, France has now lost four soldiers since its military operation began Jan 11. The goal of the intervention has been to help Mali's weak government take back the country's vast north from al-Qaida-backed fighters who had seized power and imposed harsh Islamic rule for 10 months. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |