February 11, 2013 in Nation/World
Krista Larson Associated Press
GAO, Mali ? Black-robed Islamic extremists armed with AK-47 automatic rifles invaded Gao in wooden boats Sunday to launch a surprise attack on the most populous city in northern Mali, two weeks after French and Malian troops ousted the?jihadists.
Gunfire echoed for hours across the city. The combat started at about 2 p.m. in downtown Gao and the fighting was continuing as night fell. Later the sound of gunfire was replaced by the clattering of French military helicopters?overhead.
The attack in Gao shows the Islamic fighters are determined and daring, and it foreshadows a protracted campaign by France??
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GAO, Mali ? Black-robed Islamic extremists armed with AK-47 automatic rifles invaded Gao in wooden boats Sunday to launch a surprise attack on the most populous city in northern Mali, two weeks after French and Malian troops ousted the?jihadists.
Gunfire echoed for hours across the city. The combat started at about 2 p.m. in downtown Gao and the fighting was continuing as night fell. Later the sound of gunfire was replaced by the clattering of French military helicopters?overhead.
The attack in Gao shows the Islamic fighters are determined and daring, and it foreshadows a protracted campaign by France and other nations to restore government control in this nation in northwest?Africa.
The Islamic radicals fought against the Malian army throughout the afternoon and were seen roaming the narrow streets and on rooftops in the center of Gao, which had a population of 90,000 before the conflict caused thousands to?flee.
Families hid in their homes. There were no signs of civilian?casualties.
The fighting appeared to center near the police headquarters, where Malian soldiers with rocket-propelled grenades traded fire with the combatants believed to be from the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, or MUJAO. Soldiers were positioned at every corner in the?neighborhood.
Ever since French forces took Gao on Jan. 26, the Islamic rebels had clashed with security forces on the city?s outskirts. This was the first time they succeeded in entering the strategic?city.
The Islamic radicals had already tried to spread violence into Gao. On Saturday night, a suicide bomber detonated himself at a checkpoint, killing himself and wounding a Malian soldier. An earlier bomber also blew himself up at the same spot Friday, killing only?himself.
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Source: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/11/islamists-attack-malian-troops/
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