It has been confirmed that the French and Malian forces have reclaimed Gao. Gao, a northern town in Mali, has been the epicenter of activity with Islamist rebels. This is after long and treacherous fighting with rebels that occurred on Sunday.
The Islamist rebels took control of Gao nearly ten months ago, and were driven out of the town at the end of January. They went into hiding, and returned to Gao by crossing the Niger River. On Sunday, gunshots could be heard, and it is believed that there were two suicide bombers. The focus of the rebels was the police center in town. After more than five hours of fighting, French and Malian forces were able to take back Gao and drive out the rebels.
Two civilians of Gao were killed in the crossfire, with ten others confirmed wounded. Fourteen suspects have been arrested and will be taken to the capital of Mali, Bamako, for investigation. Soldiers are focused on trying to find any possible rebels that might have fled, as well as keeping the town of Gao safe and secure. Though the seizure of Gao is a positive sign to ending terrorist control in Mali, the president of France believes that they must continue to fight terrorism, as it is believed that there are still small groups of terrorists throughout the country.
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