Mali Islamists Vow to Hit Back Against France

While pressing south

Islamist forces on Monday launched a fresh attack in Mali's government-held south and vowed to strike "at the heart" of France to avenge a fierce military offensive against them.

Security sources reported the jihadists had attacked Diabali, some 400 kilometres (250 miles) north of the capital Bamako, on the fourth day of the French campaign, which has led to heavy losses in the extremists' ranks.