French troops have recaptured cities of Diabali and Douentza now under control Malian troops 2201131

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French Armed Forces Operation Serval in Mali

 
 
Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 10:30 AM
 
French troops have recaptured cities of Diabali and Douentza now under control of Malian troops.
The French Ministry of Defence confirmed that the cities of Diabaly and Douentza are now under the control of the Malian troops since Monday morning, January 21, 2013. Malian armed forces supported by the French soldiers based in Niono and Mopti-Sévaré have recaptured the cities. Cities occupied by the Islamist rebels are located respectively from 400 and 800 km northeast of the capital Bamako.
     
The French Ministry of Defence confirmed that the cities of Diabaly and Douentza are now under the control of the Malian troops since Monday morning, January 21, 2013. Malian armed forces will be supported by the French soldiers based in Niono and Mopti-Sévaré to recapture the cities. Cities occupied by the Islamist rebels are located respectively from 400 and 800 km northeast of the capital Bamako
The French Ministry of Defence confirmed that the city of Diabaly is now under the control of the Malian troops with the help of French soldiers since Monday morning, January 21, 2013.

     

Diabaly, which lies 400 kilometres (250 miles) north of the capital Bamako, has been the theatre of air strikes and fighting since it was seized by Islamists a week ago.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the town of Douentza, which had been under Islamist control since September had also been retaken by French and Malian troops.

Douentza is a strategic crossroads town some 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Konna, whose capture earlier this month by extremists saw the French army swoop to the aid of the crippled and weak Malian army.


3150 French soldiers are today involved in the operation Serval, launched on January 11, 2150 on the Malian territory.

Since January 17, 2013, 830 soldiers from Nigeria, Niger, Togo and Benin joined Bamako for forming the contingents of the International African Mission in Mali (MISMA). Neighboring African countries are expected to contribute around 3,000 troops but concerns about the mission have delayed some from sending their promised troops.

More French forces arrived in Bamako to increase military power for future ground operations. The French fighter attacks continue their attacks on ground targets.

Sunday, January 20, 2013, French army began to send more troops by boat with armored vehicles VAB, AMX-10RC and VBL, as well as wheeled armoured infantry fighting vehicle VBCI.

     

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French VBCI wheeled armoured infantry fighting vehicle are loaded on the Dixmude ship of the French Navy, Sunday, January 20, 2013.
French VBCI wheeled armoured infantry fighting vehicle are loaded on the Dixmude ship of the French Navy, Sunday, January 20, 2013.