Three Mauritanian soldiers have been shot dead by armed men in a clash in the north of the country, military officials say.
The men were shot on Thursday after their unit set out from an army outpost in El Ghallawiya, about 700km north of the capital, Nouakchott, and intercepted two vehicles in the area, the officials said.
The vehicle occupants then reportedly opened fire on the army vehicle, killing three soldiers and seizing their weapons.
The incident comes only four days after four French tourists were shot dead and another wounded by suspected members of al-Qaeda.
Security forces in Mauritania and bordering Senegal and Mali are hunting the three suspected killers of the French tourists.
Two of the suspects are alleged to have links with the Algeria-based group formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which is accused of attacks in North Africa.
The GSPC has changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb after allying itself to mainstream al-Qaeda.
The two attacks come as Mauritanian authorities prepare to host the high-profile Lisbon to Dakar Rally that will start January 5 and cross through Morocco and Mauritania en route to Senegal.