At least 100 people—including rebels and government soldiers—were killed in Mali during French airstrikes over the town of Konna, according to the Malian military. One Army officer reported that nearly 30 vehicles carrying Islamic rebel forces had been hit. Malian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Diaran Kon told Reuters that the strikes were a success but the fighting is far from over. French troops arrived in Mali on Friday to help the African nation battle the approaching Islamic rebel forces. Neighboring West African states have sped up plans to deploy troops in an effort to prevent Islamist rebels from expanding power.
