In a response to the Mali government’s plea for international help in fighting Islamic terrorists trying to take over the country, France has begun a series of air strikes against the extremists.

French President Francois Hollande confirmed that French troops have joined the fighting against the Islamists.

“Mali is facing an assault by terrorist elements coming from the north whose brutality and fanaticism is known across the world,” Hollande said in a televised address. Hollande said troops would stay “as long as necessary.”

“We need to stop the terrorists’ breakthrough, otherwise the whole of Mali will fall into their hands threatening all of Africa, and even Europe,” he told reporters.

The European Union said they are going to speed up preparations for their troops to join the African Union in fighting against the Mali extremists.