France says its soldiers killed 50 militants in Mali

The French military says it has killed about 50 Islamist militants in Mali.

It said one of the dead was a member of the Sahel's branch of the Islamic State group.

France said it seized weapons and destroyed about 30 motorbikes in operations around the central town of Mopti.

Fighter jets and combat helicopters were used.

There has been an upsurge in jihadist attacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

More than 5,000 French troops are based in the region.

They fight alongside regional forces, but are struggling to contain the multiple Islamist and other armed groups.