French and African forces are conducting operations to rid Timbuktu, Gao, and Kidal of remaining Islamist fighters. The Malian army reported two days ago that 63 Malian troops, five French troops, one Togolese soldier, one Burkinabe soldier, and 600 Islamist militants have been killed since the French-led intervention began in January. A confidential UN report says it is “unlikely” that elections planned for July will be held on time. The AFISMA force has about 6,300 soldiers from west African countries and Chad.
