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Mali: French soldier killed fighting Islamists | Mali: French soldier killed fighting Islamists |
(35 minutes later) | |
A French soldier has been killed fighting Islamist rebels in Mali, President Francois Hollande has said. | A French soldier has been killed fighting Islamist rebels in Mali, President Francois Hollande has said. |
More than 20 militants also died in the clashes in a mountainous northern region, France's defence ministry said. | |
It is France's second fatality in Mali since it began its military intervention there last month. | It is France's second fatality in Mali since it began its military intervention there last month. |
French troops backed by helicopters and planes have helped restore government control of northern Mali, killing hundreds of suspected militants. | French troops backed by helicopters and planes have helped restore government control of northern Mali, killing hundreds of suspected militants. |
"There was a serious clash with many dead on the terrorist side but also a death on the French side," Mr Hollande said during a visit to Greece. | "There was a serious clash with many dead on the terrorist side but also a death on the French side," Mr Hollande said during a visit to Greece. |
'Last phase' | |
He said the soldier from the French Foreign Legion was killed as special forces hunted militants hiding in the Ifoghas Massif - a remote mountain region in the Sahara. | |
The continuing mission was aimed at capturing "the last terrorist groups and leaders," Mr Hollande added. | |
"We are now in the last phase of the operation in Mali," he said. | |
France intervened in Mali just over a month ago to stop Islamist militants who had taken control of northern Mali from advancing on the capital, Bamako. | |
French forces helped government troops recapture the main north cities and towns, and thousands of soldiers from African countries have also been deployed. | |
Previously the only French fatality was a helicopter pilot killed on the first day of the military intervention, 11 January. |
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