Thierry Burkhard

French Air Force Strikes Mali Rebels After Hollande Visit

The French air force struck rebel sites in the far north of Mali overnight as President Francois Hollande returned to Paris following a visit to the country.

France’s Says Mali Should Accept Some Touareg Autonomy

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian suggested that ethnic Touaregs in Mali’s northern regions should have some autonomy, while saying France doesn’t want to “dictate” the nation’s constitutional settlement.

French Troops Take Control of Airport in Mali’s Kidal

French forces assumed command of the airport in Kidal, the last major city outside control of the Malian government, French military spokesman Thierry Burkhard said by phone, declining to give details because operations are continuing.

Western Donors Pledge Mali Funds as Troops Take Timbuktu

Donor nations pledged $455 million for an African force to help clear northern Mali of Islamist militants and the U.K. and Germany offered more support for the mission as Malian forces patrolled the streets of Timbuktu.

French Troops About to Take Timbuktu as They Push Rebels

Islamist fighters in Mali’s city of Timbuktu destroyed a library containing historic manuscripts before they fled advancing French and Malian forces, the town’s mayor said.

Mali’s Centuries-Old Timbuktu Scrolls May Have Survived

A “treasure” of ancient manuscripts in Mali’s historic city Timbuktu may have survived a fire caused by fighting between French troops and Islamist militants, according to the institute housing the documents.

French Troops Capture Gao in North Mali From Islamist Rebels

French troops captured the city of Gao in northeast Mali from Islamist rebels today, France’s Defense Ministry said, in a further step toward driving the militants out of the country.

Mali, French Forces Take Second Town in Insurgents’ Fight

French and Malian forces took control of the town of Diabaly and Douentza as soldiers from neighboring African countries continued to arrive to join the fight against rebels that control two-thirds of the nation.

Mali Army Secures Central Town of Konna as Troops Land

French forces in Mali reached 2,000 as they prepare to support West African soldiers arriving to join the conflict in the desert north.

French Troops Rescue Japanese Diplomats as Ivory Coast Fighting Continues

French commandos airlifted eight people from the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Ivory Coast’s main city, Abidjan, late yesterday, after it was seized and looted by militiamen loyal to former leader Laurent Gbagbo , the French Defense Ministry said.

"The preliminary observations on the scene show that the two were manifestly executed by the terrorists."

- Thierry Burkhard on Jan 09, 2011

Mali

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Africa

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