Mali: Islamists counter-attack from the west, Its France vs Islamist/Jihadist

Al-Qaeda-linked rebels in Mali launch a counter-offensive, taking the town of Diabaly, 400km from the capital Bamako, after three days of French fighter jet strikes on their desert strongholds. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed that the town, previously under control of the Mali authorities, had been taken.

"They came from the Mauritanian frontier, where they had been bombarded by the French army," he said.

It follows French intervention on Friday after the rest of Europe and the Americans said such action could take months, despite the country's calls for assistance.

Now rebels have warned that France will pay for their actions, threatening to drag it into a long and brutal ground war.

Britain has agreed to provide "logistical assistance" but will not be sending any troops.
Counter-attack

Launching a counter-attack far to the south west of recent fighting, the Islamists clashed fiercely with government forces on Monday in the central town of Diabaly, residents and Malian military sources said.

President Francois Hollande says France's aim is simply to support a mission by Ecowas (the Economic Community of West African States) to retake the north, as mandated by a UN Security Council resolution in December. Under pressure from Paris, regional states have said they hope to have soldiers on the ground in coming days.

President Hollande's intervention has won plaudits from western leaders but raises the threat level for eight French hostages held by al-Qaeda allies in the Sahara and for the 30,000 French expatriates living in neighbouring, mostly Muslim states. Concerned about reprisals at home, France has tightened security at public buildings and on public transport.

At least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have died since Friday. More than 100 militants are reported to have been killed. Channel4