Bamako, Mali - French military planes, involved in the fight against Islamist groups in northern Mali, made more than 970 sorties and over 170 strikes in the continuing operation 'Serval', according to a communiqué issued by the General staff of the French army which was received by PANA here Tuesday.
Operation 'Serval', named after the medium-sized African wild cat species, is aimed at stopping and ultimately defeating an aggressive Islamic militant rebellion there.
Reviewing the activities of the French war planes from the day the operation was launched (11 January to date), the French military said more than 970 air sorties were carried out, covering strikes, transport and support operations.
It said that fighter jets alone made over 200 sorties.
The French army, alongside Malian and African contingents, is waging a war against the islamist groups who have occupied Northern Mali for about 10 months.
Operation Serval follows the UN Security Council Resolution 2085 of 20 December 2012.
Pana 19/02/2013