Mali Pounded by French Air Assault Feb 3 2013

French aircraft attack Islamists in MaliAround 30 aircraft participated in Sunday's attack.

Besides fighters  the French introduced reconnaissance and tankers for refueling in the air, said the military spokesman Thierry Burkhard told AFP.

The attacks began Saturday night and were concentrated on targets in Tessalit area north of the town of Kidal, stated Burkhard on.

Tessalit considered the Islamist rebels last major stronghold in conflict with government forces and their French supporters.

Forced out

The rebels were, a few days ago,  forced to withdraw from the airport near Kidal by French soldiers. Saturday began the fierce battles between Malian government forces and Islamists in the town of Kidal, the news agency DPA tells us.

France launched the first air attacks against Islamists 11 January, to prevent them from advancing towards Mali's capital Bamako. Islamist attacks against Kidal Saturday were turned back, said the DPA message.

Residents of the town said that soldiers from France and Chad were,for the first time, patrolling the streets Sunday. 

The approximately 150 soldiers from Chad acted in food in the biggest market in Kidal, it said.

Hollande visiting

Sunday's air raids were conducted just hours after French President François Hollande had visited Bamako. He promised that the French forces would remain in the country until the government has full control even over the northern parts of the country.

But the French president also warned strongly against abuse when Islamists are defeated. When the reckoning comes, it must be characterized by justice and not revenge, stressed Hollande.

Hollande also visited Timbuktu in northern Mali, where he received an overwhelming reception by the people who hailed him as "Mali's savior." Many residents are worried that Islamists will turn back when the French forces leave.