French Troops Capture Gao in North Mali From Islamist Rebels
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French troops captured the city of Gao in northeast Mali from Islamist rebels today, France’s Defense Ministry said, in a further step toward driving the militants out of the country.
Malian and African forces were being deployed to secure the area around the city, about 590 miles (950 kilometers) northeast of the capital, Bamako, following the overnight action by French special forces, according to the ministry. French troops were playing a supporting role after taking the airport and a bridge over the River Niger to the south of the city, French military spokesman Thierry Burkhard said by phone.