Mexican authorities say 22 people are dead after clashes between armed gangs and police in six towns in southwestern Michoacan state.
The Interior Ministry said the dead included two federal police officers and "20 presumed criminals."
Areas of Michoacan are under the control of violent drug gangs, who battle each other as well as government forces.
In May, President Enrique Pena Nieto sent in military forces to oversee security operations in the state, which is one of Mexico’s most violent.
More than 70,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Mexico’s drug war in the past seven years.
The Interior Ministry said the dead included two federal police officers and "20 presumed criminals."
Areas of Michoacan are under the control of violent drug gangs, who battle each other as well as government forces.
In May, President Enrique Pena Nieto sent in military forces to oversee security operations in the state, which is one of Mexico’s most violent.
More than 70,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Mexico’s drug war in the past seven years.
