French air halts Mali Islamist advance
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.
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