With our correspondent in Nouakchott, Salem Mejbour Salem

The Mauritanian government has not yet given a death toll. But Interior Minister Ahmed Salem Ould Merzoug wants to reassure populations in the border regions with Mali: "We have made commitments with Mali so that full light is shed on the number of deaths, by whom and under what circumstances. "

Ahmed Salem Ould Merzoug warned against any attempt to attack the Mauritanian people: "You know, within our borders, we ensure the security of persons and property. The government, I wish to reaffirm here, will act firmly against anyone who attempts to cross the border to attack our fellow citizens."

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As recently as January, seven Mauritanians had been killed in the sector. At the time, the question of possible involvement of Malian soldiers had also been raised. Mauritanian experts from the ad hoc commission tasked with shedding light on the events of March 5 left Nouakchott on the evening of Wednesday March 16 for Bamako.