U.S. Supports French and ECOWAS Intervention in Mali

French troops drive into northern Mali January 16 in search of armed Islamist radicals. Photo: ©AP Images

The United States supports military action by France and the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take back northern Mali from armed Islamist rebels. “We support what the French are doing,” said a senior State Department official, who asked not to be identified, January 16. “Their reasons for doing so are clear. It was to stop what appeared to be a major offensive by the rebels to move into the southern part of the country.” “If the rebels had been successful in their efforts, it might have meant a collapse of the Malian government and a larger control of the Malian territory by Al-Qaida in the Maghreb and rebels and Islamists.” The official said French forces have gone in at the request of the Malian government and ECOWAS and in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085. Read the full article.

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