Islamist gunmen, some disguised as women, infiltrated into Gao from across the Niger River. French and Malian troops fired at militants holed up in the mayor’s office. A MUJAO spokesman said the group has been ordered to “liberate Gao.” A car bomb exploded in Kidal near barracks housing French and Chadian troops, killing the driver and another man. An AQIM tipsheet in Timbuktu advised on avoiding drone strikes.
