French military targets Islamist rebels in Mali

[Mars_ax]

Apparently the Mali Government asked the French to come to their aide:

As a new round of French military strikes targeted Islamist rebels in Mali on Sunday, both sides of the fight said they were determined to win.

French fighter jets bombed rebel training camps and other targets in northern Mali, France's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"France's goal is to lead a relentless struggle against terrorist groups," the ministry said, "preventing any new offensive of these groups to the south of Mali."

Sunday's air raids were the latest in French efforts supporting Malian government forces battling militant Islamist forces. Additionally, France has several hundred ground troops in Mali, where they may soon be joined by hundreds of troops from nearby African nations.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...90912Q20130113

Mali may end up being the new "Afghanistan" in Africa.

Thoughts?