NIAMEY, June 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people were killed Friday in clashes between government forces and ethnic Tuareg rebels in Niger, according to statements issued by either side.

    The clashes occurred around the town of Tezirzait, at the foot of Mount Tamgak in the Agadez region, the statements said.

    Seventeen rebels including a "senior member" were killed, while the army suffered no losses, a government statement said.

    "Seventeen MNJ members were killed ... the army destroyed three vehicles and recovered four others," read the statement.

    But the rebels, the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), which is demanding greater autonomy for the region and a bigger share of its mineral wealth for local people, gave a different number.

    It declared on its website that 26 soldiers were killed, along with seven of its own fighters.

    The rebel group has been waging a sporadic insurgency against the government for more than a year, and has taken hostage dozens of army personnel.