The French have lost substantial ground since their decision to try to push back against the Islamists.   Most of the “Western Trained” state army officers have defected to the other side.   al-Qaeda is within 250 miles of the Capitol, Bamako.   This is the heartland of both AQIM and al-Shabab elements.    Both of which were the main benefactors from the Libyan weapons depots, including surface to air missiles.

The French military, which began battling in Mali on Friday, expanded its aerial bombing campaign of northern Mali, launching airstrikes for the first time in central Mali to combat the new threat. But it failed to halt the advance of the rebels, who now are only 250 miles from the capital Bamako, in the far south. Before France sent its forces in on Friday, the closest known spot the Islamists were to the capital was 420 miles away near the central belt, though they might have infiltrated closer than that.  (link)

al-Qaeda is bragging by posting pictures of the dead French military via twitter., and sending out press releases

Plea from sanctimonious Hollande to the U.S.A. begging for help in 3…… 2……

undefined(France 24) — France’s military intervention in Mali will be increased to 2,500 French soldiers, defence ministry sources said Tuesday, as the offensive in the divided African country entered its fifth day.

French President François Hollande held a press conference during a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, during which he outlined France’s three goals in Mali.

“Our objectives are as follows: one, stop terrorists seeking to control the country including the capital Bamako; two, we want to ensure that Bamako is secure – several thousand French nationals live there; three, enable Mali to retake its territory, a mission that has been entrusted to an African force that France will support,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Hollande announced that French troop presence had already been boosted to 750 soldiers and would continue to rise.

Citing sources close to French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, the AFP news agency said that France’s fighting force in the troubled African country would “progressively reach” the new figure.  (read more)

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