French Says Its Forces Kill at Least 30 Extremists in Mali

French Says Its Forces Kill at Least 30 Extremists in Mali
French soldiers patrol through the central market in Timbuktu, Mali. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File
The Associated Press
Updated:

BAMAKO, Mali—France’s anti-terrorism forces in Mali have killed at least 30 al-Qaida-linked extremists in central Mali, including the possible death of a chief jihadi leader, France’s armed forces ministry said Friday.

The ministry said in a statement that the attack overnight Thursday into Friday combined air strikes, Reaper drones, helicopter assaults and ground engagement by French soldiers.