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Niger rebels 'kill 15 soldiers' Niger rebels 'kill 17 soldiers'
(about 1 hour later)
Rebels in Niger say they have killed 15 government soldiers in clashes in the north of the country. Rebels in northern Niger say they have killed 17 government soldiers.
The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) says its forces attacked a large military convoy at Gougaram, destroying several vehicles.The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) says its forces attacked a large military convoy at Gougaram, destroying several vehicles.
The Niger government is yet to respond to the rebels' claim. Niger's army chief is reported to have said one soldier died in an accident. He added that four were injured by a land mine and three wounded in clashes.
The MNJ represents the Tuareg ethnic group. It says it is fighting for more rights for its people in the Niger desert, which is rich in uranium. The MNJ represents the Tuareg. It says it is fighting for the rights of people in the uranium-rich Niger desert.
A rebel website said Tuesday's fighting began after the army convoy had advanced to the northern town of Iferouane.A rebel website said Tuesday's fighting began after the army convoy had advanced to the northern town of Iferouane.
"There was a clash between us and them, and 15 of them were killed," the website said."There was a clash between us and them, and 15 of them were killed," the website said.
It said that MNJ fighters also destroyed at least six government vehicles.It said that MNJ fighters also destroyed at least six government vehicles.
But General Moumouni Boureima said in a statement, according to Reuters news agency, that just one soldier had died in a vehicle accident. The convoy had been taking food to Iferouane, he said.
The attack comes two days after four policemen were killed in a landmine explosion in northern Niger.The attack comes two days after four policemen were killed in a landmine explosion in northern Niger.
The authorities in Niamey accused Tuareg-led rebels of planting the mine, but the MNJ responded by saying it was a government mine.The authorities in Niamey accused Tuareg-led rebels of planting the mine, but the MNJ responded by saying it was a government mine.
Military zoneMilitary zone
The rebels have killed more than 40 soldiers and military police since they began a campaign against the government in February.The rebels have killed more than 40 soldiers and military police since they began a campaign against the government in February.
Niger's government regards the rebels as drug smugglers and bandits.Niger's government regards the rebels as drug smugglers and bandits.
The conflict has turned northern Niger into a military zone.The conflict has turned northern Niger into a military zone.
The government has accused a French nuclear energy company and Libya of backing the rebels.The government has accused a French nuclear energy company and Libya of backing the rebels.
Niger is one of the world's top five producers of uranium.Niger is one of the world's top five producers of uranium.