More than 1,800 Chadian soldiers with French troops in Kidal to secure the city

Some 1,800 Chadian soldiers have entered Kidal, the last major town in northern Mali under rebel control, the French military says. French-led forces captured Kidal's airport last week but have not yet secured the town itself. The French soldiers meanwhile continue control of the airport thanks to the reinforcement of two sections of paratroopers from the 1e RCP (1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment).

French and African soldiers continue to control the area of Niger River and strengthen the military forces in the cities of Timbuktu and Gao.

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French armed forces launched several air strikes in northern Mali to target rebels training centres

French armed forces launched several air strikes, Saturday, February 2, 2013, overnight in the country's northern region which has been in hands of Islamist rebels since 10 months, spokesman for the French army said Sunday, February 3, 2013. Thirty jets targeted Islamist militants' training and communication centres around Tessalit - a mountainous area near the Algerian border.

A French fighter aircraft Rafale take-off for a combat mission over Mali.

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French armed forces have secured the town of Kidal last rebel stronghold in Mali

During the night from 29 to 30 January 2013, French troops have taken control of the airport in the northern Malian town of Kidal, the last rebel stronghold in the north, according to the French army and a local official.

French soldiers on armoured vehicle personnel carrier VAB on the way for Timbuktu.

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French armed forces have taken the control of the airport in Kidal

According to the website of the radio Voice of Russia, on Tuesday night, January 29, 2013 the French armed forces force in Mali assumed control over the airport of the city of Kidal, which has been under the radical Islamists’ control until recently. This has been confirmed by an official of the Touareg National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad.

In Timbuktu, a new airborne operation was made with air drop of French soldiers of the 17e RGP (17th Engineer Parachute Regiment), January 29, 2013.

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