French and Malian troops continued to advance northeast on Tuesday, hours after seizing several central towns from rebels. A Malian official said that the troops intended to push towards the city of Hombori, in the Mopti region. The joint mission, involving French and African troops, aims to wrest back control of northern Mali from al-Qaeda-linked forces who have held control since early last year. On Monday, troops seized control of Diabaly, Konna and Doutenza, three strategic towns in central Mali. Diabaly, 350km north of the capital Bamako, had harboured the main cluster of rebels south of the front line, until French air attacks forced them to flee or attempt to blend in with locals, residents said. French television footage from Diabaly showed charred pick-up trucks abandoned by rebels amid mud brick homes.
French and Malian troops push northward
