French aircraft bombed Islamists and Kidal region in the extreme north-eastern Mali. In particular, it destroyed the house of the chief of the armed group Ansar Dine (Defenders of Islam), it was learned Sunday corroborating sources.
Kidal region and the stronghold of Ansar Dine. Led by Iyad Ag Ghaly, ex-military and ex-figure of Tuareg rebellions in Mali in the 1990s, this group came to light in 2012. It was reinforced by fighters who were active members of the North African branch of Al-Qaeda.
Kidal was the first city conquered by Tuareg rebels and Islamist groups in March 2012. Tuareg rebels of the National Liberation Movement of Azawad (MNLA) were then evicted from the area by their former allies.
Gao operation
Saturday, French and Malian soldiers have seized Gao, another Islamist stronghold. Malian soldiers, Chad and Niger were being deployed in the city, announced Sunday the spokesman of the General Staff of the French army in Paris.
According to him, the African forces were projected by air on airport Gao, taken in the night from Friday to Saturday by French special forces.
"The takeover of Gao, with 50,000 to 60,000 inhabitants, the soldiers in Mali, Niger and Chad is going on," said the spokesman.
U.S. aid
The United States decided to refuel in flight French aircraft involved in Mali, the U.S. military announced Saturday.
In addition to the large aircraft C-17, available free of charge, Washington Paris also provides support in terms of information using satellites and drones likely.
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