First Togolese Nigerian soldiers are now Mali to help French Army to fight Islamist rebels 1801131

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French Armed Forces Operation Serval in Mali

 
 
Friday, January 18, 2013, 08:50 AM
 
First Togolese and Nigerian soldiers are now in Mali to help French Army to fight Islamist rebels.
One infantry motorized unit of the French Army is now deployed in Markala to stop the progression of the Islamist rebels toward the capital Bamako. Other French troops are still in Bamako ready to be deployed for combat missions. Malian army moved in the city of Konna on Thursday, January 17, 2013, afternoon, a stronghold of the army in the middle of the country but was overtaken by the rebel forces from the north last week, according to security sources.
     
One infantry motorized unit of the French Army is now deployed in Markala to stop the progression of the Islamist rebels toward the capital Bamako. Other French troops are still in Bamako ready to be deployed for combat missions. Malian army moved in the city of Konna on Thursday, January 17, 2013, afternoon, a stronghold of the army in the middle of the country but was overtaken by the rebel forces from the north last week, according to security sources.
One infantry motorized unit of the French Army is now deployed in Markala to stop the progression of the Islamist rebels toward the capital Bamako.
(Credit photo French Army)
     

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plans to mobilize a regional force of 3,300 troops with Nigeria's general Sehy Oumar Abdul Kadry as the commander and his deputy commander will be Yaya Garba from Niger. MISMA's chief of general staff will be Colonel Jean Paul Ntab from Senegal.

Between Thursday and Tuesday next, Bakayoko said, four countries will be on the ground to fight the rebels. They include the Malian forces and their French allies as well as a company of the Nigerian Army and some troops from Togo, a total of 250 African soldiers.

The special representative of the Commission President of the ECOWAS, Cheaka Aboudou Toure, said the mandate of MISMA (International Mission for Support to Mali) is to liberate Mali from the hands of the militants.

     
Between Thursday and Tuesday next, Bakayoko said, four countries will be on the ground to fight the rebels. They include the Malian forces and their French allies as well as a company of the Nigerian Army and some troops from Togo, a total of 250 African soldiers.
Togolese troops board a plane to Bamako, Mali, on Thursday, January 17, at the Lome airport in Togo. Troops from West African countries are heading to Mali as part of a U.N.-mandated African force to fight the Islamist rebels.
     
French combat helicopters Tigre arrived in Mali transported by Canadian military transport aircraft C-17.

French fighter aircraft of Serval operation continue their airstrikes, with ten missions against rebels ground targets. Three fighter aircraft Mirage 2000 D from N'Djamena are now based in the airport of Bamaka.

As a step of its deep involvement in the Mali battle, France has increased its troops' strength in Mali to 1,400, said French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The European nation is expected to increase its troops to 2,500.