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| Mali: French hunt fugitive rebels after seizing Diabaly from Islamists | Mali: French hunt fugitive rebels after seizing Diabaly from Islamists |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| French and Malian troops took control of the contested town of Diabaly in the west of Mali on Monday morning as the international presence in the country was bolstered by the arrival of a US cargo plane and more international African troops, bringing the number contributed by west African nations and Chad to 1,000. | French and Malian troops took control of the contested town of Diabaly in the west of Mali on Monday morning as the international presence in the country was bolstered by the arrival of a US cargo plane and more international African troops, bringing the number contributed by west African nations and Chad to 1,000. |
| About 200 French infantrymen supported by six combat helicopters and reconnaissance planes were reportedly scouring the town in central Mali and surrounding woodland for remaining Islamists, following repeated reports that rebels were trying to hide rather than leave the area. | About 200 French infantrymen supported by six combat helicopters and reconnaissance planes were reportedly scouring the town in central Mali and surrounding woodland for remaining Islamists, following repeated reports that rebels were trying to hide rather than leave the area. |
| Locals, some of whom came out of their homes to welcome the French and Malian forces, said the jihadists had fled Diabaly after French warplanes bombarded their positions on Thursday. | Locals, some of whom came out of their homes to welcome the French and Malian forces, said the jihadists had fled Diabaly after French warplanes bombarded their positions on Thursday. |
| The battle for Diabaly, a small town in the Segou region of Mali, 250 miles north of the capital, Bamako, and significantly further south than previously Islamist-held territory, has become key politically in the battle for control of the country. | The battle for Diabaly, a small town in the Segou region of Mali, 250 miles north of the capital, Bamako, and significantly further south than previously Islamist-held territory, has become key politically in the battle for control of the country. |
| The Guardian saw a column of about a dozen heavily armoured French tanks advancing on Diabaly on Sunday evening, moving east in the direction of Markala, where the French and Malian military control a key bridge across the river Niger. | The Guardian saw a column of about a dozen heavily armoured French tanks advancing on Diabaly on Sunday evening, moving east in the direction of Markala, where the French and Malian military control a key bridge across the river Niger. |
| Malian army officers warned, however, that some of the population remained loyal to the Islamist fighters, some of whom were said to have taken refuge in forests around the town to wait for reinforcements. | Malian army officers warned, however, that some of the population remained loyal to the Islamist fighters, some of whom were said to have taken refuge in forests around the town to wait for reinforcements. |
| Meanwhile, an American military plane arrived in Bamako on Monday afternoon, broadening the international scope of the conflict. The aircraft will be used to transport the French military, a US military official said. | Meanwhile, an American military plane arrived in Bamako on Monday afternoon, broadening the international scope of the conflict. The aircraft will be used to transport the French military, a US military official said. |
| "US Air Force C-17 aircraft operating under the control of US Africa Command began airlifting French army personnel and equipment to Bamako, Mali, from Istres, France, at the request of the French government," said the official. "The airlift mission will continue over the next several days." | "US Air Force C-17 aircraft operating under the control of US Africa Command began airlifting French army personnel and equipment to Bamako, Mali, from Istres, France, at the request of the French government," said the official. "The airlift mission will continue over the next several days." |
| The deployment of the US aircraft adds to a lengthening list of western countries involved in the conflict in Mali, alongside French air and ground troops. The UK, Denmark, Canada and the US have all contributed logistical support for an unspecified time period. | The deployment of the US aircraft adds to a lengthening list of western countries involved in the conflict in Mali, alongside French air and ground troops. The UK, Denmark, Canada and the US have all contributed logistical support for an unspecified time period. |
| "I anticipate that for western countries, this will be a long-term commitment," said Sahel expert Dr Berny Sèbe from the University of Birmingham. "There is a huge amount of work to do in rebuilding Mali and creating the conditions of stability that will bring the country back to democracy." | "I anticipate that for western countries, this will be a long-term commitment," said Sahel expert Dr Berny Sèbe from the University of Birmingham. "There is a huge amount of work to do in rebuilding Mali and creating the conditions of stability that will bring the country back to democracy." |
| The arrival of the US plane in Mali comes as regional African body Ecowas said African troops would complete their deployment in Mali by the end of the month and then carry the main burden of fighting Islamist rebels who have controlled northern Mali since April. | The arrival of the US plane in Mali comes as regional African body Ecowas said African troops would complete their deployment in Mali by the end of the month and then carry the main burden of fighting Islamist rebels who have controlled northern Mali since April. |
| "There are troops from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin and Togo already on the ground; they are urgently setting up the mission in Mali," said Ecowas spokesman Abdel Fatau Musah. "Chad also has some troops already in the country, and the rest are coming. The whole deployment is scheduled to be completed by 29 January." | "There are troops from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin and Togo already on the ground; they are urgently setting up the mission in Mali," said Ecowas spokesman Abdel Fatau Musah. "Chad also has some troops already in the country, and the rest are coming. The whole deployment is scheduled to be completed by 29 January." |
| Musah, speaking to the Guardian by phone, said almost all European countries had agreed to help fund the African military intervention, which is expected to last for months or even years. "The EU in particular has already promised an initial amount of around €550m (£463m). The US and many other countries have also decided to contribute," he said. | Musah, speaking to the Guardian by phone, said almost all European countries had agreed to help fund the African military intervention, which is expected to last for months or even years. "The EU in particular has already promised an initial amount of around €550m (£463m). The US and many other countries have also decided to contribute," he said. |
| "The initial period for the African deployment under the UN security council resolution was one year. How much longer than that ... depends upon the situation on the ground. If they are not able to complete within that time, it will be extended." | "The initial period for the African deployment under the UN security council resolution was one year. How much longer than that ... depends upon the situation on the ground. If they are not able to complete within that time, it will be extended." |
| Under the terms of the security council resolution passed last month, the African force is expected to play a leading role in trying to push the rebels further into the desert terrain in northern Mali. The French and Malian ground forces have so far focused on towns further south. | Under the terms of the security council resolution passed last month, the African force is expected to play a leading role in trying to push the rebels further into the desert terrain in northern Mali. The French and Malian ground forces have so far focused on towns further south. |
| Diabaly is one of several towns, including Konna and Douentza, brought back under government control by French and Malian soldiers, although journalists were still banned from the towns and phone lines remained cut, making communication with people inside impossible. | Diabaly is one of several towns, including Konna and Douentza, brought back under government control by French and Malian soldiers, although journalists were still banned from the towns and phone lines remained cut, making communication with people inside impossible. |
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