Hu added that all separatist forces are doomed to failure, and said the central government would support social and ethnic development, CCTV reported.

CNN: Hu calls for reform in China's Uyghur region

The Yemeni government said its forces had also inflicted losses on separatist and al-Qaeda-linked rebels elsewhere.

ECONOMIST: Politics this week

Maj Traore said the men had apparently gone to join the forces of the MNLA, a Tuareg separatist group which launched a rebellion last year in northern Mali.

BBC: Mali crisis: Relief in Diabaly as French forces roll in