March 19th, 2013
08:55 PM ET

Report: French hostage killed in Mali

A French hostage held in Mali has been executed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Mauritania's ANI news agency reports.

The agency attributed the information to an AQIM spokesman.

Six other French hostages are still being held in Mali.

French and allied forces, including Malian and Chadian troops, have made significant inroads in recent weeks combating Islamist extremist fighters.

Islamist extremists carved out a large haven in northern Mali last year, taking advantage of a chaotic situation after a military coup by the separatist party MNLA. The militants banned music, smoking, drinking and watching sports on television. They also destroyed historic tombs and shrines.

French involvement in the conflict began on January 11, the day after militants said they had seized the city of Konna, east of Diabaly in central Mali, and were poised to advance south toward Bamako, the capital.

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Filed under: Africa • France • Mali • World
soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. saywhat

    France's main source of Uranium is the neighboring Niger. And that is what drives the French invasion of Mali. If insurgency spreads in the region France loses control over its main source of Uranium.

    March 19, 2013 at 9:31 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    The civilised world needs no al Qaeda at all.

    March 19, 2013 at 9:33 pm | Report abuse |
  3. saywhat

    Oh!@JI-F are we sure?
    We are aiding and abetting them in Syria and helped their elements in Libya.

    March 20, 2013 at 12:56 pm | Report abuse |
  4. saywhat

    In fact our misguided policies in the M.East and S.Asia helped spread their influence.

    March 20, 2013 at 12:57 pm | Report abuse |
  5. saywhat

    And In fact our misguided policies in the M.East and S.Asia helped spread their influence.

    March 20, 2013 at 12:58 pm | Report abuse |
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