Trouble in store: French troops arrive at Bamako’s airport Photo: AP
The ground assault reverses France’s earlier insistence that it would provide only air and logistical support for a military intervention, which would be led by African troops. “Now we’re on the ground,” said Edouard Guillaud, the military chief of staff. “We will be in direct combat within hours.”
On Tuesday, France announced it tripling the number of troops deployed to Mali from 800 to 2,500. The offensive was to have been led by thousands of African troops pledged by Mali’s neighbors, but they have yet to arrive, leaving France alone to lead the operation. Nigerian troops may arrive later on Wednesday.
Admiral Guillaud said the militant groups have a history of taking human shields and France would do its utmost to make sure civilians are not wrongly targeted. “When in doubt, we will not fire,” he said.
Witnesses said hundreds of Malian and French troops in armoured vehicles were headed to Diabaly, a town 250 miles north of the capital that was seized by the rebels on Monday. Residents of Niono, 45 miles south of Diabaly said they saw trucks of French soldiers arrive overnight.
Another convoy was seen leaving Bamako in a northerly direction.
A security source announced plans to “take back Diabaly with the French”.
French fighter jets have launched strikes on Diabaly, but a regional security source said the insurgents were still there.
France’s deployment of ground forces came as defence sources said the country would triple its force in Mali to 2,500.
The Telegraph has the full article
