Islamist fighters in Mali have seized Diabaly, an important army base 450 km from Bamako a town in government-controlled territory French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced insisting that France's campaign was "developing favourably".
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Islamists-seize...
![Islamists seize town with military base in government controlled west of Mali Islamists seize town with military base in government controlled west of Mali](https://www.marocafrik.com/english/photo/art/default/5123982-7646594.jpg?v=1358190130)
He said Islamists had retreated in the east but admitted French forces were facing a "difficult" situation against well-armed rebels in western areas. Mr Le Drian told BFM television: "They took Diabaly after fierce fighting and resistance from the Malian army that was not able to hold them off at that moment."
A Malian military source told AFP that rebels had come from the Mauritanian border area after being attacked by French planes.
A Malian military source told AFP that rebels had come from the Mauritanian border area after being attacked by French planes.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Islamists-seize...