Forces belonging to France's Barkhane mission in Mali killed "several dozen" jihadists in the centre of the country, the French army headquarters said Friday. Commando troops moving by helicopter and supported by fighter aircraft fought "several hours of ground combat" near Niaki, 180 kilometres (110 miles) east of central town Mopti, ending in "the neutralisation of several dozen" jihadists, the armed forces posted on Twitter. vl/blb/tgb/pvh