Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb is claiming responsibility for an attack on a Mauritanian army base near the border with Mali.

An al-Qaida spokesman told the private Nouakchott news agency Wednesday two of the group's fighters died in Tuesday's attack – one from Algeria and another from Mali.

The Mauritanian army confirmed the attack near Bassiknou and said its forces launched a counter attack, killing 20 militants.

Mauritania and Mali have been engaged in an ongoing effort to chase al-Qaida's North African affiliate from camps near the border areas.

Last month, Mauritania said it killed 15 al-Qaida fighters and captured another nine in a joint operation with Mali in the Wagadou forest region inside Mali.