Malian, French Forces Retake Towns

Malian and French forces advanced toward the northern part of Mali in West Africa at the end of January to wrest control from rebels.

Digging In

French soldiers drink water as they prepare a security zone at Bamako airport on Jan. 23. A split emerged on Thursday in the alliance of Islamist militant groups occupying northern Mali as French and African troops prepared a major ground offensive aimed at driving al-Qaida and its allies from their safe haven in the Sahara. Photo: Malin Palm/Reuters

Convoy Advance

A convoy of French military vehicles in the village of Somadougou heads toward Sevare, Mali, on Jan. 25. Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Greeting a Convoy

A woman waves to French soldiers who are part of a convoy of military vehicles including armored personnel carriers, jeeps and supply trucks, heading toward the recently liberated town of Diabaly, Mali, on Jan. 24. Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Showing Gratitude

A man drives a motorbike decorated with French flags among others to show his support for the international forces in Mali's capitol Bamako on Jan. 24. Photo: Malin Palm/Reuters

Unexploded Shells

Malian soldier is seen near an unexploded shell in the recently liberated town of Konna, Mali, on Jan. 26. Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Well of Bodies

A woman walks past the well in Sevare, Mali, where the bodies of suspected Islamist rebels were dumped, according to U.N. director of Human Rights Watch, Philippe Bolopion. Rights groups are worried ethnic reprisals will spread as parts of the north are retaken by Malian and French troops. Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Charred Remains

French airstrikes hit an armored vehicle used by al-Qaida-affiliated militants in Konna, Mali, on Jan. 27. Photo: Joe Penney/Reuters

Sevare Checkpoint

Malian soldiers search a vehicle at a military checkpoint in Sevare, Mali, on Jan. 27. Photo: Joe Penney/Reuters

Roadside Briefing

Malian army officers speak to journalists at a military checkpoint in Sevare, Mali, on Jan. 27. Photo: Joe Penney/Reuters

Guarding the Highway

A Malian soldier stands guard with his machine gun on the road between Konna and Sevare, Mali, on Jan. 27. Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Wounded at the Front

Malian soldiers wounded at the frontline lie on beds at a military clinic in Kati, Mali, on Jan. 27. French and Malian troops were on Sunday restoring government control over the fabled Saharan trading town of Timbuktu, the latest gain in a fast-moving French-led offensive against al-Qaida-allied fighters occupying northern Mali. Photo: Malin Palm/Reuters

Advancing Toward Timbuktu

French Gazelle military helicopters, flying back from the city of Timbuktu, arrive at the French army base camp airport on Jan. 28 in Sevare, Mali. French forces are advancing toward Mali's Islamist-held north after taking up positions in the towns of Niono and Sevare, a spokesman for the French military operation codenamed Serval said. Sevare is about 390 miles north of Mali's capital Bamako. Photo: Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images