The Mauritanian army confirmed that it is in “total control” of the recent clashes with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb fighters that killed 12 Islamists. Reports indicate that upwards of 15 Mauritanian soldiers were killed and eight more were wounded in fighting that spilled into Mali in the northern locality of Erch Hendi. Malian citizens are worried about the whereabouts of five civilians who have gone missing during the fighting.
