Mali. French and Chadian troops occupy Tessalit, in the north of the country, on the border with Algeria, where the last remaining airport still held by the Islamists is located. The French, supported with troops and logistics by several African (including Nigeria and Chad) and Western (including the US and UK) nations, thus take control of almost all strategic centers in northern Mali, losing one helicopter pilot. Casualties among the Ansar Dine guerrillas are estimated at several hundred during these four weeks.
