17 soldiers killed, 40 wounded in Afghan firefights

One French and 16 Afghan soldiers were killed and about 40 other troops were wounded in two firefights in southern Afghanistan, coalition and Afghan officials said today.

In one battle in Helmand province, 13 Afghan soldiers were killed and 15 injured in an eight-hour firefight on Saturday, said General Zahir Azimi, the Defence Ministry spokesman. He said at least nine Taliban militants were killed.

In a second firefight in Helmand the same day, one French and three Afghan soldiers were killed, the US led coalition said. One French and one American soldiers were wounded, as were about 25 Afghan soldiers, the military said.