Kerawa is not in the hands of the Islamists - Didier Badjeck

Cameroonian soldiers engaged in a fierce battle with Boko Haram jihadist on Friday in the village of Kerawa in the Far North region of Cameroon, announced local authorities.

"Since yesterday, members of Boko Haram led a raid against the village of Kerawa. They decapitated several people, between three and seven, and killed many others," said an official who reported at least twelve dead.

"We are inflicting heavy losses to Boko Haram," said Colonel Didier Badjeck, spokesman of the Cameroonian army, who stressed that Kerawa was not in the hands of the Islamists.

On Thursday, eight people in the village of Doulo in the same area, were killed by the Nigerian jihadists who clashed with security forces.

Cameroon is one of the countries in the region that have decided to set up a multinational force of 8,700 men to fight against the insurgency of Boko Haram, which has lasted for six years. This force should be operational by the end of the year.