French forces have killed 19 Islamist fighters during security operations in Mali’s northern region of Timbuktu, according to a senior French officer in the West African nation..
Pockets of al Qaeda-linked fighters are still holding out across the north of the country, nearly a year into a French offensive aimed at driving them from the desert region they occupied for most of 2012 after hijacking a rebellion by Tuareg separatists.
“There were clashes north of Timbuktu on the road to Taoudenit. We neutralised 19 people. The operations are continuing,” said the officer, who asked not to be named.
After being scattered across Mali and into neighbouring countries, Islamist groups have stepped up their operations in recent months.