French air halts Mali Islamist advance

January 13, 2013

Mali French air power has stooped the advance by Islamist rebels. The Islamist fighters have controlled the north of the country since last March and had been threatening to push south.French President Francois Hollande has hailed the success of the operation, but ordered tighter security at home in case of reprisal attacks from Islamic extremists.Meanwhile, many African nations pledged troops on the ground, some as early as today. Britain has also promised technical support to the French intervention in Mali, but will not deploy any personnel in combat role. Military sources and witnesses in Mali, said more than 100 people including rebels and government soldiers have been killed during French air strikes and fighting over the strategic town of Konna, A shopkeeper in Konna said he had counted 148 bodies, among them several dozen government soldiers. Malian defence ministry spokesman told the media that the rebels have been driven out of Konna.