French troops kill Islamist fighters in Mali

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French troops kill Islamist fighters in Mali
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A monthlong French offensive has killed
"hundreds" of Islamist fighters in Mali, the
French defense minister said, as his troops
prepare to start withdrawing next month. France
has stated that it expects to begin withdrawing
its troops out of Mali in March and leave African
forces in control. At Mali's request, France
launched the offensive against Islamic militants
in the region. Mali asked for Frances help
because Islamic extremists carved out a large
portion of the north last year after a chaotic
military coup. French-led troops now control
Timbuktu and are working to secure Kindal, the
last major city under the grip of militants. The
Islamic extremists banned music, smoking,
drinking and watching sports on television, and
destroyed historic tombs and shrines in the
region. World leaders feared that the al
Qaeda-linked militants would turn the area into a
terrorist haven.
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