Operation Serval: update on 4 February 2013

Since the 31 January 2013, French air operations have continued with over 135 air strikes including nearly thirty dedicated to reconnaissance. These operations resulted in hitting 25 targets which were mainly logistics depots and training centres north of Kidal around Aguelhok and Tessalit. Fighter aircraft and attack helicopters were used for these strikes.

 
On the ground, French, African, and Malian armed forces continued to gain control of the Niger Bend and strengthened military presence in Timbuktu and Gao by stationing MISMA and FAM soldiers.

1,800 Chadian soldiers entered Kidal to secure it. Meanwhile French troops maintained control of the airport thanks to back up from two 1^er RCP de Pamiers paratrooper platoons.

A S/GTIA armoured vehicle, equipped by the 1^er RIMA d'Angoulême, provided back up in Gao on the second of February. It had left Niamey in Nigeria the previous evening strengthening the French arsenal already on-site.

There are currently 4,000 French soldiers in Mali. Alongside them there are nearly 3,800 African soldiers present in Mali and some 2000 MISMA soldiers belonging to Togo (640), Burkina Faso (500), Nigeria (240) Niger (500), Benin (90) and Senegal (50). More troops are expected in coming weeks.