Revelation 6:3-4 NCV When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take away peace (prosperity, rest) from the earth and to make people kill each other (butcher, slaughter, to maim violently, in streets), and he was given a big sword (assassins sword, terrorist, loud, mighty, sore afraid).
Islamic terrorists found a way to sneak past checkpoints into the northern city of Gao but were repelled by French and Malian troops after the city residents sounded the alarm.
Gao had been under control of Islamic terrorists for ten months before French troops liberated the city in January. A strict version of Sharia Law was imposed on the town that included cutting off hands of suspected thieves.
“There was heavy gunfire. The situation is under control now. The Islamists entered via Quatrieme Quartier, and the army went to meet them and was able to push them back,” Gao Mayor Sadou Diallo told the Associated Press.
France has said they will be removing their troops before the end of April although they have remained silent about whether or not the plan will remain in place despite increasing attacks by Islamic terrorists. West African troops are expected to take over in April.
