Malian, French Forces Re-Take Second Town

Voice of America ^ | January 18, 2012

[JerseyanExile]

Officials in Mali say French-backed government forces have re-taken a second town that had been seized by Islamist militants.

Local officials say militants have been driven out of Diabaly, located about 400 kilometers northeast of the the capital, Bamako. On Thursday, heavy fighting between French soldiers and militants had been reported in Diabaly, which was seized by rebels on Monday.

There was no immediate confirmation of the re-capture from Mali's military or French forces.

Earlier, the Malian army and French officials said Malian forces have re-taken Konna, a town east of Diabaly.

The army said it has gained "total control" of Konna after inflicting "heavy losses" on the Islamist rebels there. The militant takeover of the town last week prompted France to intervene in its former colony.

The one-week-old counter-offensive by French and West African regional troops appears to have stopped the southward advance of the al-Qaida-linked fighters who still apparently control northern Mali.

VOA correspondent Idrissa Fall is in the capital, where he says Malians are cheering the arrival of French forces.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Good to see local cheering the arrival of western armies. Once they cheered for Americans—but that was another time before the Hippies took over and “Bodybagaphobia” dominated politics. We have become a shadow of who we were. We are confused about our goals and ever fearful of international opinion and publicity. The French don’t care—to them, if soldiers are not killing folks, they are not doing their job.

[I want the USA back]

More bearded savages lying flat on the ground.

[riverrunner]

The army said it has gained “total control” of Konna after inflicting “heavy losses” on the Islamist rebels there. The militant takeover of the town last week prompted France to intervene in its former colony.

Makes one smile dosen’t.