French forces in Western Africa say they have killed or captured about 20 militants in a restive region in Mali near Burkina Faso.

French troops, fighting militant groups in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert, launched an operation in the forest of Foulsare on Saturday, a statement by the regional forces said on Sunday.

Troops from Operation Barkhane killed or captured the 20 militants and discovered large amounts of arms, ammunition, rocket launchers, and explosives in the forest, according to the statement.

French fighter jets also bombed several arms depots in the forest. According to a local resident, many militants fled on foot when planes arrived to drop bombs in the area. Early last month, a French soldier was killed in clashes with the militants in the area.