French Defense Minister Jean Yves Le Drian says soldiers fighting in Mali have killed at least 15 local fighters in overnight clashes in the country's northeast.

"Our forces fought terrorist groups last night, still in the same area, the Ametetai valley region, where there is a strong concentration of them. Around 15 militants were killed," Le Drian said on Tuesday.

He went on to say that dozens of fighters have been killed since Friday. Earlier this week, Malian military sources said 50 fighters have been killed in clashes in the country's north.

Three French soldiers have lost their lives in Mali so far.

France launched a war on Mali on January 11 under the pretext of halting the advance of fighters who had taken control of the north of the African nation. The United States, Canada, Britain, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark have voiced support for the move.

Hundreds of French and Chadian soldiers are currently fighting in Mali.

The French-led war in Mali has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in northern areas of the country and has displaced thousands of people, who now live in deplorable conditions.

Some political analysts believe that Mali’s abundant natural resources, including gold and uranium reserves, could be one of the reasons behind the French war against the African country.