Conflict in Mali: Strategic towns Konna and Diabaly reclaimed

Jan 18, 2013 | News

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Compiled by Jonathan Zettel

French-Malian forces have recaptured the strategic towns of Konna and Diabaly, Reuters reported Friday.

Less than 24 hours after the town of Konna was reclaimed, Islamic rebels fled the central town of Diabaly Friday.

The capture of Konna by Islamic rebels prompted a military response by France who has been carrying out airstrikes for the past eight days.

The BBC reported more troops from West Africa and France have landed in Mali’s capital city of Bamako, Friday.

While the fighting continues, aid groups struggle to reach hard-hit areas, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The United Nations warns that 700,000 Malians could be internally displaced due to the conflict.

AP also reports telephone lines in Konna have been cut off making communication difficult.

France has asked Canada to extend its C-17 mission.

The CBC reported the rebels are a group of secular nationalists and radical Islamists from within Mali’s Tuareg population and fundamentalists from neighbouring countries.

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