French government authorities have told the local Metro newspaper that it expects to begin withdrawing its troops out of Mali in March and leave African forces in control.
The French defense minister said a monthlong French offensive has killed “hundreds” of Islamist fighters in Mali.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said despite the withdrawal, troops will continue operations to flush out militants in “some terrorist havens” in northern Mali.
At Mali’s request, France launched the offensive against militants in its former colony last month.
The ground-and-air campaign has sent Islamist fighters who had seized the northern region fleeing into the vast desert.
French President Francois Hollande visited Timbuktu last week, just days after French forces had freed the fabled city from Islamist militants.
French-led troops now control Timbuktu and the city of Gao, along with a swath in between the two that was an Islamist stronghold for almost a year.
Troops are working to secure Kindal, the last major city under the grip of militants.
Over the past two days, sandstorms have hampered operations across the country.
Islamic extremists carved out a large portion of the north last year after a chaotic military coup.
Agencies
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