French forces launch military operations against Islamist extremists in Mali

French President Francois Hollande said the "terrorist groups, drug
traffickers and extremists" in northern Mali "show a brutality that
threatens us all." He vowed that the operation would last "as long as
necessary."France said it was taking the action in Mali at the request of
President Dioncounda Traore, who declared a state of emergency because [...]
Source:
http://www.ezonearticle.com/2013/01/11/french-forces-launch-military-operations-against-islamist-extremists-in-mali/