Operation Doro by French Armed forces and Malian troops in the region of Gao

From February 27 until now, french armed forces in coordination with the Malian army have conducted Operation Doro in the east of Gao, between the cities of Djebok and Telatai. The Doro Operation was held under the command of the Colonel Bert, commander of 92th Infantry Regiment (92eRI) and the support of French combat helicopters, engineer units and other military units of French Army Operation Serval.

VBCI 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle of the 92th Infantry Regiment of French Army were used during the Operation Doro in the region of Gao.

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French Air Force operations continue in Mali with 90 missions in 3 days including 30 air strikes

French Air Force operations continue in Mali with more than 90 missions including nearly thirty dedicated to air strikes and 35 strategic transport missions for the support of ground forces. These air strikes have enabled to destroy several rebel targets.

French Air Force continues operations in Mali with fighter aircraft Mirage 2000D and Rafale.

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Germany will extend its support for the French military operation Serval in Mali

The German government wants to extend its support for international and French operation Serval in West African Mali, possibly including A310 MRTT-type tanker aircraft, military trainers and medical personnel. Germany’s Air Force has already sent three C-160 Transall ESS transport aircraft with 75 soldiers to Dakar, Senegal. Their job is to transport troops of the Economic Community Of West African States to the Malian capital Bamako and Sevare-Mopti.

Germany’s Air Force has already sent three C-160 Transall ESS transport aircraft with 75 soldiers to Dakar, Senegal.

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First fighting for the french soldiers in Gao against Islamist rebels infiltrated in the city

Black-robed Islamist rebels armed with AK-47 assault rifles infiltrated Gao in wooden boats, Sunday, February 10, 2013, to launch a surprise attack on the most populous city in northern Mali, two weeks after French and Malian troops ousted the jihadists (With Video).

French soldiers secure the evacuation of foreigners during exchanges of fire with jihadists in Gao, northern Mali, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

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New airborne operation by engineer paratroopers of French Army on Tessalit airport in Mali

After the seize of Tessalit airport, Friday, February 8, 2013, by French Special Forces parachuted in the area, a new airborne operation was conducted by French Army, Saturday, February 9, 2013, from Abidjan to parachute engineer paratroopers, vehicles, and equipment to repair Tessalit airport trackway.

French engineer paratroopers of the 17e RGP (17th Engineer Airborne Regiment) were parachuted, Saturday, February 9, 2013, on Tessalit Airport, Mali.

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French Army Special Forces were parachuted on the city of Tessalit to take the control of airport

French army soldiers of Special Forces were parachuted on the city of Tessalit during the the night of Friday, February 8, 2013, to take the control of the airport. Followed by an air assault of paratroopers of the 1er RCP (1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment) to strengthen the Special Forces, and secure the airport (With Video).

Drop of French Special Forces paratroopers over the airport of Tessalit, picture take by a Harfang drone during the night of Friday, February 8, 2013.

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155mmm self-propelled howitzer CAESAR Nexter enters the battle Operation Serval in Mali

French AMX-10RCR 6x6 reconnaissance armoured vehicles and CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers of French Army have left the city of Niamey, capital of Niger, Thursday, January 31, 2013, to join their operation area in the region of Gao, located more than 400 km of Niamey. French air operations continued with more than 70 missions with about twenty dedicated for air strikes. These air operations have resulted the destruction of five major targets, mainly logistics facilities and training centers in the area Aguelhok.

French forces further increase their firepower in Mali with deployment of 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer CAESAR.

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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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After the capture of Timbuktu airport France continued to strengthen its military power in Mali

After the capture of the airport of Timbuktu and the city Gao by French armed forces Sunday and Monday, January 28, 2013, the two strategic locations are now strengthened by units of the Malian army. French Special Forces continue to secure the area around the Timbuktu airport to restore air traffic and for the support of ground forces.

French armed forces have seized Mali's desert city of Timbuktu in a lightning advance north as fleeing Islamists.

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French paratroopers of 2e REP Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment were parachuted on Timbuktu

French army spokesman Colonel Thierry Burkhard has announced, on Monday morning, January 28, 2013, French soldiers of the 2e REP (2nd Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment) were parachuted into strategic points overnight to prepare the way for Malian forces to recapture Timbuktu from Islamist rebels.

French-led troops Saturday seized the airport and a key bridge serving the Islamist stronghold of Gao in a major boost to a 16-day-old offensive to rout Al Qaeda-linked rebels from Mali's sprawling desert north.

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Air-land operations by French Army Special Forces and Malian troops to seize the city of Gao

Over the past 36 hours, the French armed forces involved in the operation Serval and many Malian troops have led air-land operations that helped seize the airport and the bridge in the city of Gao and destroy several Islamist terrorist groups.

A destroyed BTR-60 armoured personnel carrier of Islamist rebels near GAO, January 26, 2013.

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More than 600 vehicles and armoured of French Army on the way for Léré to conquest Timbuktu

French-led forces who had recaptured the town of Diabaly on Monday, January 21, 2013, were pushing towards the town of Lere with the aim of "taking control of Timbuktu" which lies further north. The French army launched a major offensive to capture the city of Timbuktu.

French army soldiers on VAB armoured vehicle personnel carrier near the city of Niono.

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British Royal Air Force will provide spy aircraft Sentinel R1 to support French Army in Mali

A surveillance aircraft Sentinel R1 from RAF (British Royal Air Force) Waddington has been sent to Mali Friday, January 25, 2013, to support France's military action there, the Ministry of Defence said. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the Sentinel R1 aircraft "has proved its worth in Libya and on an ongoing basis for counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan".

The Sentinel R1 spy plane is a modified business jet which uses radar to create accurate real-time images of what is happening on the ground.

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Malian and French troops ready for an offensive against the town of Gao in the next few days

Malian officials said government forces have recaptured Hombori, about 160 km southwest of Gao, on Friday, January 25, 2013, and add, an offensive against Gao could take place in the next few days. On Friday, January 25, 2013, Islamist extremists based in the Malian town of Ansongo destroyed a bridge near the Niger border, officials said.

The French troops based in Sévaré continue to support the Malian army with the help of ERC 90 Sagaie armoured vehicles, and strengthens their positions to prevent any offensive action of the Islamist rebels to the south of the country.

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French and Malian soldiers have recaptured the northern town of Hombori

French-led Malian soldiers have recaptured the northern town of Hombori which leads to the Islamist stronghold of Gao, residents and security sources said on Friday, January 25, 2013. "At present, Malian and French soldiers are in Hombori. There are no longer any Islamists on the ground," a local teacher said. A Malian security source said the forces were proceeding towards Gao.

French forces with the 21e Marine Infantry Regiment and the 1° Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment continued their advance towards the North of Mali.

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France continues air strikes and deployment of ground forces around Diabaly and Sévaré in Mali

France has carried out air strikes during night of Thursday, January 24, 2013, on Asongo in Mali, just 80 kilmometres south of the Islamist stronghold of Gao. The capital Bamako has been secured, but the rebels still hold the major northern towns of Timbuktu and Gao.

France has carried out air strikes during night of Thursday, January 24, 2013, on Asongo in Mali.

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France increases its military power in Mali with Tiger helicopters and CAESAR 155m howitzers

France has decided to further increase its military power for the operation Serval in Mali. Since Sunday, January 21, 2013, the 92° Infantry Regiment of French Army equipped with the latest generation of armored infantry fighting, the VBCI is on the way to Mali by sea. According to some unconfirmed French sources, the 68e artillery regiment equipped with 155mm self-propelled gun CAESAR had received orders to prepare a deployment to Mali.

A Malian soldier holds a heavy machine gun near Markala, 270km north of Bamako.

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Malian and French troops take position in the towns of Niono - Sevare and secure Markala

French air forces have carried out three attacks on rebel positions and French forces are advancing towards Mali's Islamist-held north after taking up positions in the towns of Niono and Sevare, a spokesman for the French military operation Serval said Sunday, January 20, 2013.

A French soldier with armoured vehicle outside the city of Markala, January 19, 2013

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