BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- France says Mali troops have retaken control of the key central town of Konna. Earlier, the Mali army claimed to have recaptured Konna and another town, Diabaly. But France’s defense ministry says it does not consider Diabaly to have been retaken.
Col. Thierry Burkhard, Spokesman of French Armed Forces, said, "As for Konna, units from the Mali army have taken possession of Konna and are currently occupying the town. Concerning Diabali, to my knowledge no action has been conducted in that sector".
Konna was seized by Islamist militants a week ago, generating fears that the capital Bamako could be vulnerable and triggering the French intervention. The retaking of the town could be a landmark victory for the Mali army, backed by French forces. France’s Defense Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has said that French forces on the ground in Mali has now reached 1,800, just under three-quarters of the 2,500 Paris intends to deploy.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
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