The French presidency said in a statement Friday that French and Nigerien forces destroyed the convoy Thursday night in northern Niger and captured some al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb militants.
The UN mission in Mali says 30 peacekeepers have been killed and 90 wounded since the mission was established in July to stabilize Mali's north, which fell under the control of Tuareg separatists, then al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremists following a 2012 coup.
UN troops are now trying to stabilize the north, and peace talks have begun between the Malian government and Tuaregs. France has 3,000 troops, 200 armored vehicles and six fighter jets deployed in the region. AP