Hundreds of rebels dead in France-led Mali attacks

French-led forces have killed hundreds of Islamists in fighting to reclaim northern Mali and with the rebels’ last bastion secured, France said Tuesday, February 5, it will begin withdrawing its troops from March. The defense ministry said the Islamists died in French air strikes on vehicles transporting fighters and equipment, and in “direct combat in Konna and Gao”, key central and northern towns. France’s sole fatality so far has been a helicopter pilot who was killed at the start of the military operation. Mali said 11 of its troops were killed and 60 were wounded after the battle at Konna last month but has not since released a new death toll.

Read more about the Mali attacks on Rappler.