13 Chadian troops die in Mali fighting

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N'DJAMENA, Chad, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Thirteen Chadian soldiers were killed and five wounded in a battle with Islamic militants in northern Mali in which 65 insurgents died, officials say.

A statement from Chadian officials said their forces also destroyed five vehicles in clashes Friday in the Ifoghas region near Mali's border with Algeria, the Voice of America reported.

Chad is part of a force of African troops who have joined with French and Malian forces to combat militants in northern Mali.

The coalition said Thursday it had recaptured the city hall in the central city of Gao, the BBC reported.

Militants linked to al-Qaida had seized the building the day before after being pushed from the city earlier in the month by French and Malian troops.