Mali War News Updates -- January 12, 2013

French Join Africa Battle With Islamist Rebels -- Wall Street Journal

Paris Puts Troops on Ground, Asks U.S. for Drones to Help Fight al Qaeda-Linked Insurgents Gaining a Foothold in Mali.

PARIS—French military forces joined Malian troops battling Islamist rebels in the West African nation, and Paris asked the U.S. to send drones to support the campaign, amid Western fears that insurgent groups with links to al Qaeda could destabilize the region and gain the ability to strike overseas.

President François Hollande said Friday that French soldiers were intervening alongside the local army and other troops from Western African countries, at the Mali government's request, to help stop the progression of rebel groups advancing toward the south. He said the intervention is being conducted under resolutions by the United Nations Security Council, which early Friday called for "a rapid deployment" of foreign troops.

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More News On The War In Mali

French forces stop Mali Islamist advance -- The Australian
France launches air strikes on Mali rebels -- Al Jazeera
France pushes back Mali rebels with airstrikes -- Christian Science Monitor
French troops continue operation against Mali Islamists -- BBC
France helps Mali fight to reclaim land -- Sydney Morning Herald
France Battling Islamists in Mali -- New York Times
Malian army beats back Islamist rebels with French help -- Reuters
France Launches Airstrikes in Mali to Support Government -- Voice of America
Minister: French pilot killed in Mali helicopter raid -- CNN
French Pilot Killed in Mali -- Wall Street Journal
W.African states poised to send troops to fight Mali rebels -- Reuters
West African Bloc Authorizes Troops for Mali -- AP
Burkina Faso, Nigeria to send troops to Mali -- Ahram Online
PM Jean-Marc Ayrault: Mali Islamists 'threat to France' -- BBC
Mali intervention will put French citizens at risk - Islamists -- Reuters
Dangers of French mission in Mali -- Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News
What's behind the instability in Mali? -- Faith Karimi, CNN