BAMAKO, Mali, Rabi'II 14, 1436, Feb 3, 2015, SPA -- A French military operation killed 12 extremists in far northern Mali, amid renewed violence in the region, AP cited a Malian official as saying. The French Defense Ministry said that French troops put a dozen fighters "out of action" after moving in on the group in the rugged Adrar des Ifoghas area Saturday. A local official in northern Mali confirmed Tuesday that the 12 were killed. French and U.N. troops remain in the region after France intervened in Mali two years ago and dispersed extremists who had taken control of the arid north. --SPA 13:30 LOCAL TIME 10:30 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w