Mali Islamists Vow to Strike 'at Heart' of France

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Islamists based in northern Mali, under daily bombardment by France's warplanes, vowed Monday to avenge the assault on French soil as well as in Africa.

"France has attacked Islam. We will strike at the heart of France," said Abou Dardar, a leader of Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), an offshoot of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), speaking to Agence France Presse by telephone.

Asked where they would strike, he said: "Everywhere. In Bamako, in Africa and in Europe."

The French offensive has blocked the advance of Islamist forces towards the capital Bamako from their bases in the north which they have controlled since last April.

On Sunday, French aviation struck at targets in the central Islamist strongholds of Gao and Kidal.

Sixty Islamists were killed in Gao alone on Sunday, according to residents and a regional security force.

The MUJAO official also referred to France's eight hostages held in the Sahel region.

"We will make a statement on the hostages today. From today all the mujahedeen are together."

Comments 2
Thumb jabalamel 14 January 2013, 12:02

lol just how did you come to "43 months before ww3" idea. mossad documents?

Thumb kanaandian 15 January 2013, 00:15

What is happening in 43-months? Anyways, these Islamist live their lives to die so they can get their virgins, M. Hollande is going to give them just that. I am just confused, isn't France seeking to army Syrian rebels, or do they hope the Syrian rebels acquire the weaponry of the slain jihadists in Mali?