French forces say they have entered Kidal in the north of Mali, the last major town they have yet to secure in their drive against Islamist militants.
A number of French aircraft, including helicopters, had landed overnight at Kidal airport.
Tuesday, 29 January, 2013
Yemen: Hundreds of al-Qaeda fighters in Radda town ready to fend off Yemen armed forces
Security sources confirmed on Tuesday reports al-Qaeda militants sent several hundreds of their fighters to Radda - a town in al-Baydha province, south-east of the capital Sana’a - to fend off Yemen armed forces against their troops in the area.
On Monday, the Defense Ministry ordered an assault against al-Qaeda positions in Radda after negotiators failed to secure the release of three European hostages.
Pakistan: Clashes in Khyber Agency province between Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) talibans and pro-government militia Aman Lashkar
At least 7 people died in clashes between pakistan talibans and Aman Lashkar militia Aman Lashkar (tribal force backed by government) in Khyber Agency, at border with Afghanistan, in clashes that caused more than 90 casualities in last 5 days.
Monday, 28 January, 2013
Mali: French and Malian troops retake Timbuktu
French and Malian forces have retaken the northern Malian cities of Gao and Timbuktu from Islamist rebels, security officials said Monday.
Coalition troops, backed by French warplanes, took the airport in Timbuktu early Monday and moved into the city center, which had been held by the Islamist rebels since June.
Burma-Myanmar: Kachin rebels lost Hka Ya Bum, last line of defence before enter in the capital Laiza
Kachin rebels have lost the last major stronghold protecting their headquarters in Laiza, sparking fears that the town — under rebel control for the past 50 years — may soon fall to government troops and force refugees into China.
The outpost of Hka Ya Bum, the most strategic peak in a mountain range five miles west of Laiza, fell on Saturday after days of heavy bombardment by the Burmese forced rebel soldiers with the Kachin Independence Army to withdraw to positions farther south.
Sunday, 27 January, 2013
Afghanistan: 10 policemen killed by roadside bomb in Kandahar
Officials in Afghanistan say at least 10 people — including eight police officers — were killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
At least two men who had been detained by the police were also killed in the explosion late January 26 in the southern city of Kandahar.
Mali: French forces headed to Timbuktu
French forces, backed by US logistical support, headed for the mystical town of Timbuktu on Sunday, scattering the remaining al-Qaeda backed rebels seeking to create a new Afghanistan in the desert nation of Mali.
Saturday, the French military’s website reported the capture of Gao, the last major town held by the Islamists.