International forces in Mali

A French-led offensive in January pushed Islamists out of their strongholds, where they were seen as a threat to the wider Sahel region. Troops from Mali, Chad and France have been involved in sporadic battles with rebels as a UN peacekeeping force prepares to deploy.

From WORLD Apr 25, 2013

UN approves Mali peacekeeping force

Mission of 12,640 troops is set to deploy in July

Multimedia

Islamist uprising in Mali
Audio: Hotelier Abderhamane Alpha Maiga describes the arrival of Islamists in the fabled desert city of Timbuktu
The World
Gideon Rachman's blog ©FT
Blog: Gideon Rachman and his FT colleagues debate international affairs
From WORLD Apr 15, 2013

‘Guerrilla’ conflict makes Chad quit Mali

President Déby says nature of conflict has changed

An undated grab from a video shows former Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb commander Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaking at an undisclosed location ©AFP From WORLD Mar 3, 2013

Chad says leader of Algeria attack killed

Al-Qaeda’s Mokhtar Belmokhtar killed in Mali strike, says military

From WORLD Feb 25, 2013

Chadian death toll in Mali rises

At least 23 soldiers killed since Thursday

From WORLD Feb 10, 2013

Fresh clashes erupt in Malian town

Gao gun battles expose security gaps in recently recaptured zone

A soldier patrols near a burning road block outside the paratrooper camp, home of the former president's Red Beret presidential guard, in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. ©AP From WORLD Feb 8, 2013

Malian troops fight mutinous paratroopers

Clash threatens to undermine French-led military operation

Comment and analysis

Mali: Bienvenue à Timbuktu

French soldiers salute Malian people after the prayer next to the Djingareyber mosque, on January 31, 2013 in Timbuktu. The fabled desert city of Timbuktu, an ancient centre of Islamic learning, has been recaptured on January 28 by French-led forces in their offensive against Islamist rebels who have been occupying Mali's north since last April. The extremists last year smashed up mausoleums of ancient saints and the entrance to the 15th-century Sidi Yahya mosque, claiming the sites were blasphemous. Reports had emerged in recent days that rebels fleeing the advancing soldiers had torched a building housing thousands of priceless manuscripts, but an expert said on January 30 that most had been smuggled to safety as the Islamists overran the city last year. ©AFP

Many are celebrating the flight of Islamist extremists from their strongholds, but fears persist

From WORLD Feb 6, 2013

France sets March date to leave Mali

French and Chadian forces secure city of Kidal

From WORLD Feb 5, 2013

Mali seeks new leader to combat old guard

Ruling elite blamed for leadership crisis and northern insurgency

French soldiers sit aboard a Malian military armed car at the 101 military airbase near Bamako on January 14, 2013. France is using air and ground power in a joint offensive with Malian soldiers launched on January 11 against hardline Islamist groups controlling northern Mali ©AFP From WORLD Feb 4, 2013

France strikes rebel camps in Mali’s north

Paris preparing to hand over Timbuktu to government forces

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato secretary-general From WORLD Feb 3, 2013

Nato chief warns on Europe’s gaps in Mali

Fogh Rasmussen calls for end to defence cuts

From UK Feb 3, 2013

Blair backs intervention in Mali

Ex-PM compares fight against al-Qaeda to struggle with communism

From WORLD Feb 2, 2013

Hollande pledges continued support for Mali

French president warns war against Islamists is not over

From WORLD Feb 1, 2013

French president to visit Mali

Hollande will meet interim president in Bamako on way to Timbuktu

From WORLD Jan 31, 2013

Mali ready to negotiate with Tuareg separatists

Defence minister says France would not meddle in talks

From WORLD Jan 31, 2013

Mali open to dialogue with secular rebels

Interim president’s comments follow pressure from France

From WORLD Jan 29, 2013

Separatist rebels take Mali town of Kidal

Move by Tuareg fighters complicates French offensive

From UK Jan 28, 2013

Cameron offers France help on Mali

UK PM ‘keen’ to offer assistance against rebels

From WORLD Jan 28, 2013

Fears for treasures as Timbuktu retaken

Rebels set fire to library housing priceless manuscripts

From WORLD Jan 27, 2013

Soldiers comb Timbuktu for rebels

Few clashes reported after swift military advance

From WORLD Jan 27, 2013

French and Malian forces reach Timbuktu

Fast-moving offensive closes in on rebels

From WORLD Jan 24, 2013

Mali rebel faction calls for peace talks

Breakaway group from Ansar Dine rejects terrorism

From WORLD Jan 23, 2013

Clinton warns over north Africa crises

Mali could become ‘safe haven’ for Islamist rebels

From UK Jan 22, 2013

Cameron Algeria intervention raises terrorism questions

Experts say African terror groups unable to mount British attack

From WORLD Jan 21, 2013

Hollande pressed to spell out Mali objectives

Opposition fears military mission carries risk of embroilment

From WORLD Jan 21, 2013

France and US bicker over fuel

Mali mission needs air tankers

More stories

Africa

Middle East - Politics & Society

VIDEO

MULTIMEDIA

conflict in Mali

Mali explainer FT Explainer: political background to French military intervention

World Weekly

Gideon Rachman Podcast: why has France intervened and what is at stake?