The federal security commissioner for the western state of Michoacan says nine civilians have been killed in two clashes between the army and armed civilians.
Alfredo Castillo says the confrontations in the town of Apatzigan began this morning when the army tried to take control of city hall, which had been held for days by civilians.
Castillo says in the first clash, one civilian was killed and authorities detained 44 people with 13 long-barreled guns and 23 vehicles.
He says that soldiers were attacked by armed men as they were transporting the seized vehicles, and eight civilians died in that confrontation.
