Chad military forces seized the city of Kidal in northern Mali, marking the first time an all-African force has captured a city in the battle against Islamic terrorists, according to French military forces.
The French army has seized and controlled the Kidal airport but the 1,800 Chad troops have captured the bulk of the city forcing the Islamists to flee toward the nearby mountains. Continue reading
French airstrikes in Mali have taken a turn in focusing on the supply routes being used to replenish the terrorists focused on taking over the government.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told a national radio station that the terrorists would not be able to continue hiding in the northern part of Mali without fresh supplies. The terrorists have fled to the hills in the northern part of the country after being driven from major cities by a combined French-Malian force.
Fabius confirmed thirty air strikes by French fighter jets in the mountain region where the terrorists are believed to be hiding. The strikes were an attempt to “keep them from regrouping.”
Fabius refused to answer questions about whether the air strikes were a prelude to a new ground assault as similar tactics were used prior to French troops landing on the ground in Mali. He did say the transition to an all-African force could happen “very fast.”
Malian Interim President Dioncounda Traore had a less optimistic tone when asked about the situation, saying it would be “very difficult” to rid the country of the terrorists.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, in France for meetings with President Francois Hollande, said that the transition to a United Nations peacekeeping force should be made swiftly.
A jihadist website posted a new threat from Al-Qaeda promising “shocking” attacks on the United States. The posting showed a map where the Islamic terrorist organization promised new attacks. Continue reading
French politicians have been rushing to the country’s media outlets to rebut a statement made by the country’s Labour Minister that France is “totally bankrupt.”
Labour Minister Michel Sapin replied to a question during a radio interview by saying France “is a state totally in bankruptcy.” He later tried to claim his comments were only made in jest but economists outside the nation believe he could have been revealing information the French government has been trying to suppress. Continue reading
The historic city of Timbuktu, under Islamic terrorist control for almost a year, has been taken by French and Malian troops facing “little resistance.”
However, before the terrorists left the city, the Islamists torched the library destroying thousands of ancient manuscripts.
French President Francois Hollande said that the troops were “winning the battle” against the terrorists and continue in their movement north through the country. The troops seized the largest city in northern Mali on Saturday. Continue reading
French and Malian forces captured another city in the northern part of the country as the momentum in the civil distress swings away from the Islamic terrorists trying to overthrow the government. Continue reading
The U.S. Air Force has begun to airlift French soldiers and equipment to assist in the battle against Islamic militants.
Five transport flights have already taken place with more planned through the rest of the week. Currently 2,000 French troops have been placed in the country to stop the southern advance of the terrorist group. Continue reading
The Malian government extended a state of emergency as French forces continued their assault on Islamic extremists trying to overtake the country. Continue reading
The French Air Force, according to local officials, has driven Islamist terrorists out of two towns in central Mali following major air strikes. Mali’s army was able to recapture Konna and a combined force took control of Diabaly later in the day. Continue reading
France has increased its troop strength in Mali as they have officially joined the ground war against Islamic terrorists attempting to overthrow the Malian government.
“The actions of French forces, be it air forces or ground forces, are ongoing,” France’s Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters. The troops are working beside Malian military forces in the town of Diabaly, about 200 miles north of the Malian capital. Continue reading
