Several military leaders defected from Ansar Dine; one took 20 vehicles and some fighters and joined the secular Tuareg MNLA. The MNLA claimed to have taken Kidal and six other towns, and said it would work with the French but not allow the return of Malian forces. International donors pledged $455.53m for aid projects and the African-led AFISMA force. The UK will send 350 troops to Mali and West Africa to support French forces. The bulk of the AFISMA force is not yet in country.
