Malian Armed Forces pushed back the Islamist rebels from the city of Konna 1901131

French Armed Forces Operation Serval in Mali

Saturday, January 19, 2013, 09:42 AM

Malian Armed Forces pushed back the Islamist rebels from the city of Konna.

French armed forces continue to protect the capital Bamako. Combat and reconnaissance units have been deployed on each side of the Niger River, to prevent the progression of Islamist rebels. Finally, the Malian armed forces pushed back the Islamist rebels from the city of Konna and control the locality.

Malian armed forces pushed back the Islamist rebels from the city of Konna and control the locality.

At present, the operation Serval mobilizes 2,700 French soldiers, including 1,800 present in Mali.

Yesterdya, officials in Mali say French-backed government forces have retaken a second town that had been seized by Islamist militants.

Local officials say militants have been driven out of Diabaly, located about 400 kilometers northeast of the capital, Bamako. There was no immediate confirmation of the re-capture from Mali's military or French forces.

Islamist rebels withdrew from their forward positions on both of Mali's war fronts Friday, January 18, 2013, an apparent sign that they'll be shifting tactics after heavy French aerial bombardment pounded their positions even in civilian residential areas.

A military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules of the Belgian army, departed from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to conduct this Friday, January 18, 2013, its first flight to Mali to support of the French forces, said a spokesman of the Belgian Ministry of Defense.

In addition to the British C-17 and Belgian C-130, a Canadian C-17 and Danish C-130 are now engaged for logistic operations.

A C-17 from the Canadian Air Force. In addition to the British C-17 and Belgian C-130, a Canadian
C-17 and Danish C-130 are now engaged for logistic operations.