French Armed Forces launched ground offensive against Islamist rebels in Mali 1601131

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French Armed Forces Operation Serval in Mali

 
 
Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 09:00 AM
 
French Armed Forces launched ground offensive against Islamist rebels in Mali.
French army armoured vehicles are heading from the Malian capital Bamako under the cover of darkness towards the north of the country, to target areas currently under the control of islamist rebels. Since January 14, the French combat aircraft (Rafale, Mirage F1 CR and Mirage 2000D) conducted eight missions against a dozen targets around the town of Diabali. They were refueled by military aircraft C135F.
     
French army armoured vehicles are heading from the Malian capital Bamako under the cover of darkness towards the north of the country, to target areas currently under the control of islamist rebels. Since January 14, the French combat aircraft (Rafale, Mirage F1 CR and Mirage 2000D) conducted eight missions against a dozen targets around the town of Diabali. They were supported by air refueling aircraft C135F.
French army armoured vehicles are heading from the Malian capital Bamako under the cover of darkness towards the north of the country,

     

The town of Diabali, 400 kilometres from Bamako, fell on Tuesday. France’s foreign minister has also admitted the Malian army is still not in full control of Kona, the key town whose fall prompted the foreign intervention last week.

At the same time, a second C-17 of the British Royal Air Force transport aircraft has left Paris with supplies and personnel to help the French military mission against rebel forces in Mali, the MoD has confirmed.

Another C17 carrying supplies has already landed in Mali, yesterday. The C17s will carry military equipment such as French armoured vehicles and help transport servicemen and women to Mali.

French Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said air strikes by French forces had blocked the rebel advance, forcing them to withdraw into an area between Douentza and Gao.

     
     
French army armoured vehicles are heading from the Malian capital Bamako under the cover of darkness towards the north of the country, to target areas currently under the control of islamist rebels. Since January 14, the French combat aircraft (Rafale, Mirage F1 CR and Mirage 2000D) conducted eight missions against a dozen targets around the town of Diabali. They were supported by air refueling aircraft C135F.