Al Qarra - Islamists rebels are being driven out of their strongholds Gao and Timbuktu following France’s intervention. The insurgents had been occupying both towns since April 2012. The withdrawal is only a “tactical retreat” according to a spokesman for Ansar Dine militant group.

French airstrikes chased out rebels in Gao but bombings didn’t target Timbuktu. In any case, the mujahideens fled to the west of Mali. But in a counter-attack on Monday, the fighters took the town of Diabaly, 400k north of Bamako.

There is no official death toll but at least 11 Malian soldiers were killed and 60 injured. A French pilot died on the second day of the operation near the central town of Mopti.