A battle to retake north Mali: Hundreds of French troops drive back al-Qaida-linked rebels Read it on Global News: Global News | A battle to retake north Mali: Hundreds of French troops drive back al-Qaida-linked rebels

The battle to retake Mali's north from the al-Qaida-linked groups controlling it began in earnest Saturday, after hundreds of French forces deployed to the country and began aerial bombardments to drive back the Islamic extremists. At the same time, nations in West Africa authorized the immediate deployment of troops to Mali, fast-forwarding a military intervention that was not due to start until September.

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