President Francois Hollande of France has said that troops from his country will start disengaging from Mali next month. The military will end its final phase of operation in March before withdrawing gradually. Four French soldiers have been killed so far since the operation began.

Mr Hollande while speaking in Warsaw said “The terrorist kingpins have been destroyed”. He may be making reference to the two rebel leaders that were killed by Chadian troops. The Chadian troops which is part of the African contingent fighting alongside the French and other African troops stated that they killed two rebel commanders namely Abdelhamid Abou Zeid from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and veteran Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

President Francois Hollande of France has said that troops from his country will start disengaging from Mali next month. The military will end its final phase of operation in March before withdrawing gradually. Four French soldiers have been killed so far since the operation began.

Mr Hollande while speaking in Warsaw said “The terrorist kingpins have been destroyed”. He may be making reference to the two rebel leaders that were killed by Chadian troops. The Chadian troops which is part of the African contingent fighting alongside the French and other African troops stated that they killed two rebel commanders namely Abdelhamid Abou Zeid from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and veteran Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

France has about 4,000 troops in war torn Mali and had earlier said the number will decrease in March if everything works as planned. The French president said the African forces will take over the operation.

It will be recalled that rebels took over the Northern part of Mali. France sent troops that were later joined by African forces to halt the advancing rebels who were headed to Bamako the capital city.

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Mali crisis: France to withdraw troops in April