French, Mali and Congo Troops Capture Timbuktu

pretty key win and capture for the Anti Al Qaeda allies, AQ still holds several important northern points but they are losing ground surprisingly quickly

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/world/africa/timbuktu-mali-france-conflict.html?_r=0

sad news, apparently the AQ linked islamists destroyed several historical sites in TImbuktu

http://news.yahoo.com/fleeing-islamists-leave-legacy-destruction-timbuktu-073255120.html

French Forces getting ready to draw out of Mali, handing over northern towns to Taureg rebel groups and others. Did not destroy the AQ linked islamists, but have definitely made their defeat capable

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/30/mali-intervention_n_2581094.html?ref=topbar