French forces launched two nighttime raids in northern Mali against Islamist fighters linked to the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) and Mokhtar Belmokhtar's Those Who Sign in Blood Brigade; the two groups united in August to form the al-Murabitoon Brigade. Over 100 French troops took part in the recent operations near Timbuktu and in the Ifhogas mountains. The UN Security Council today urged member states to support the full deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, which is currently at less than half strength, and warned that terrorists have regrouped in Mali and regained the ability to operate.
Bill Roggio is a regular guest on the John Batchelor Show from Monday through Friday to discuss the war. Check John's site for the time. Click here to listen live online at WABC.