BAMAKO, Mali — A spokesperson for the French military operation in Mali confirmed that France is going to double the number of troops deployed in coming days.
There are currently 800 soldiers, including elite special forces, stationed in Mali, waiting for the start of a land offensive to take back northern Mali from the al-Qaida-linked extremists occupying it.
The spokesperson, who could not be named in keeping with French military protocol, said the number of troops will double to around 1,500. Every few hours, enormous transport planes are landing at Bamako's airport, loaded with supplies and more soldiers.
Overnight, a regiment of 150 French soldiers drove overland from neighboring Ivory Coast, bringing in a convoy of 40 armored vehicles, including the ERC-90, a tank-like car, mounted with a 90 mm cannon.
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