French-led forces, fighters battle in northern Mali

Heavy clashes have broken out between French-led troops and fighters in northern Mali as Paris continues its war on the West African country.

According to a military source, the French-led forces engaged in fierce combat with the fighters in Mali’s northern city of Gao on Thursday.

At least three fighters were reportedly killed in the battles, which involved heavy artillery fire.

Meanwhile, other reports indicated that a car bomb attack targeted a French military camp in the town of Kidal, north of Gao, killing a civilian and wounding another.

France launched its war on Mali on January 11 under the pretext of halting the advance of fighters in the West African country. The war has left thousands of Malians homeless.

Some political analysts believe that Mali’s abundant natural resources, including gold and uranium reserves, could be one of the reasons behind the French war.

On February 1, Amnesty International condemned “serious human rights breaches” including the killing of children in the French war in Mali.

The rights organization said there was “evidence that at least five civilians, including three children, were killed in an airstrike” carried out by French forces against the local fighters.