The first French ground soldier has been killed in the battle against Islamic terrorists in Mali.
The soldier from the French Foreign Legion died as Special Forces were searching for terrorists in a mountain region in the Sahara Desert. The operation killed 20 terrorists according to the French defense ministry. Continue reading
Mali’s government has not given the United Nations permission to send a peacekeeping force in the wake of their war with Islamic terrorists saying they’re “hesitant” to allow the foreign troops on their soil.
“We do not have a clear green light from the government of Mali yet for a peacekeeping operation,” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the BBC. He added that outside nations involved in providing logistical and military support to Mali so far are in favor of the mission. Continue reading
A homicide bomber blew himself up in the northern Mali town of Gao, marking the first time the Islamic terrorists attempting to overthrow the government have used traditional terrorist-style tactics. The terrorist rushed soldiers riding a motorcycle before blowing himself up with an explosive belt. One soldier was moderately injured.
Gao is the most populated city in northern Mali. Islamists had control of the city and region until French forces drove them into the surrounding mountains. Continue reading
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has told reporters that French troops have killed “hundreds of militants” since entering the country’s war on January 11th.
He stated the Islamic terrorists were killed both through air strikes and direct combat with French troops. 4,000 French troops are on the ground in Mali with only one casualty; a helicopter pilot, reported by French officials. Continue reading
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
A local militia working with government forces has reported taking the northern Maliam town of Kidal, the last major stronghold for the terrorists attempting to take over the country.
The Islamists reportedly have fled into the desert to regroup and find new locations to launch their assault on the government. They had been forcing an extreme brand of Sharia Law on the northern part of the nation for a year. 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
