At least 78 people have been killed in a heavy fight, in a remote part of northern Mali including 13 soldiers and 65 Islamist insurgents.
Chadian military officials say Friday’s clash occurred in the Ifoghas Mountains, where many militants are believed to be hiding.
The Islamist rebels are believed to have retreated to the Ifoghas Mountains in the Kidal region near the border with Algeria after they were forced out from strategic towns in the north of the country.
Last month France led an operation to help oust Islamists who seized the vast northern region of Mali in 2012.
Thousands of soldiers from African countries have also been deployed in Mali to help put the situation under control.
