In Mali, the French-led forces advance on the key city in the North of Timbuktu, as they continue their offensive against Islamist rebels.
Saturday Malian and French forces captured Gao, another important in the North of the city.
The advance comes as African Union leaders are meeting to discuss sending more troops in Mali.
Islamists seized the North of the country last year, but have been lost ground as the French forces launched an operation earlier this month.
End of day Saturday, first French Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Malian and French troops "near Timbuktu" would happen soon.
During the night they secured Gao - northern Mali most populous city-special forces captured the airport and a strategic bridge in the South.
Most militants appear to have fled in the lairs of the desert and hunting for them can be more difficult once all cities are safe, said the BBC Thomas Fessy in the capital, Bamako.
Troops from Niger and Chad are to assist the Malian forces in to secure the city.
Continue reading the main story
Timbuktu was a centre of Islamic education from the 13th to the 17th Centuries700, 000 manuscripts survive in public and private libraries, collectionsBooks religion, law, literature and scienceAdded world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988 for its three mosques and 16 cemeteries and mausoleumsThey have played a major role in the spread of Islam in West Africa; the oldest date of mausoleums of 1329Islamists destroyed after his arrival on the cityUS refuelling of the leaders of the African Union organize a Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that members to deploy troops to help the French-led operation there. The African States are committed to almost 5,700 troops to support French and Malian forces in their campaign.
Only a small part of the African force has deployed so far.
A number of West African countries Saturday raised the total number of troops committed to 5,700. Separately, Chad said it is sending 2,000 soldiers.
Meanwhile, the United States said it would provide air-to-air refuelling for the French war planes.
It had also discussed the plans for the United States to transport troops in countries such as Chad and Togo Mali, said the Pentagon.
Islamists seized a large area in the North of Mali, last year and have attempted to impose strict Sharia, or Islamic law.
Some 3,700 French soldiers committed in the Serval operation, 2 500 of them on Malian soil.
France intervened militarily as the Islamists advanced further to the South. He said that the capital, Bamako, was under threat.
As French and Malian troops was Gao, spoke of Malian officials of the scenes of joy, but also looting.
"Maybe at some point that the enemy in front of us was underestimated," part of Tieman group Chung Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs said ahead of the Summit in Addis Ababa.
"But everyone has seen that this terrorist group intends to spread its criminal purposes across Mali and possibly other countries targeted.
The African Union has recommended civil observers monitor the situation of human rights in areas that came under the control of the Government of Mali.
Human rights groups have accused the Malian army of committing serious abuses.
No comments:
Post a Comment