15 reported dead in Mexican firefight

MEXICO CITY, July 2 (UPI) -- At least 15 people were killed and 17 arrested in a lengthy clash between the Mexican military and members of the Zeta drug cartel, the government said.

Notimex, the government news agency, reported the shootout began Friday when alleged members of the drug gang, holed up in a safe house, fired on Mexican marines, CNN said. The fighting occurred in San Jose de Lourdes, a small town in the north-central state of Zatatecas.

Six marines were wounded, officials said.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration describes Los Zetas as exceptionally violent and believed to be responsible for hundreds of deaths in Mexico and as far south as Guatemala. The DEA says the group was founded by deserters from the Mexican army.