Mauritania vs AQIM

There's been a shootout with AQIM in western Africa.

The Mauritanian army has launched an offensive against the North African branch of al-Qaida in neighboring Mali.

People described heavy fighting late Friday in the Mauritanian region of Nema near the border with Mali. An official said Saturday that Mauritanian forces were granted permission to fight militants inside northern Mali.

At least 12 militants died and five Mauritanians were killed in the operation.

Authorities believe al-Qaida's North Africa branch could be behind the kidnapping of five French nationals and two Africans in Niger, but the official said Friday night's operation had nothing to do with that case.

By: Brant