French troops are set for their first major ground combat with Islamist rebels in Mali after heading out from the capital, Bamako.
A convoy of about 30 armoured vehicles set out on Tuesday for Diabaly, 350km (220 miles) to the north, a town captured by the rebels on Monday.
The first units of an African force will arrive today (Wednesday) to bolster the French.
France intervened last Friday to halt the Islamists’ drive to the capital.
Islamists entered Diabaly on Monday, taking the town from Malian forces. French war planes have since attacked the rebel positions.
French army chief Edouard Guillaud said on Wednesday that ground operations had now begun.
“In the coming hours – but I cannot tell you if it’s in one hour or 72 hours – yes, of course, we will be fighting them directly.”
BBC
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