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French Armed Forces Operation Serval in Mali |
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Saturday, January 26, 2013, 10:21 AM | |||
Malian and French troops ready for an offensive against the town of Gao in the next few days. | |||
Malian
officials said government forces have recaptured Hombori, about 160 km
southwest of Gao, on Friday, January 25, 2013, and add, an offensive against
Gao could take place in the next few days. On Friday, January 25, 2013,
Islamist extremists based in the Malian town of Ansongo destroyed a bridge
near the Niger border, officials said, marking the first use of explosives
by the insurgents since the start of a French-led military intervention
two weeks ago. |
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The French troops based in Sévaré continue to support the Malian army with the help of ERC 90 Sagaie armoured vehicles, and strengthens their positions to prevent any offensive action of the Islamist rebels to the south of the country. |
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Djibril
Diallo, the village chief of Fafa, 12 miles from the bridge, said by phone
Friday that residents had called him to confirm that members of the Movement
for the Oneness and Jihad in West Africa had traveled toward Niger to
the outskirts of Tassiga on Thursday, before destroying the bridge crossing
into the town. The rebel group, also known as MUJAO, traveled from Ansongo,
roughly 25 miles from Tassiga. |
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More than 2,000 Chadian soldiers have arrived in Niger, joining 500 soldiers from the country's army, to tackle the rebels by opening a second front against them. |
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View Operation Serval Mali French Army combat map situation in a larger map |
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Malian and French troops ready for an offensive against the town of Gao in the next few days 2601131
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