Mali military makes push towards Islamist stronghold of Gao

Sevare, Mali: Mali’s military has made its farthest push east toward the Islamist stronghold in the city of Gao. Residents in the town of Hombori said on Friday that Malian soldiers were seen arriving there the night before. [caption id=“attachment_602427” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] AP[/caption] Hombori is located 150 kilometres beyond the current line of control in Douentza, which government forces reclaimed earlier in the week. The push puts the military just 250 kilometres away from Gao, one of the three main northern cities held by Islamists since last April. Malian soldiers are attempting to recapture northern Mali from the Islamic extremists with the help of the French military and troops from other African nations. The Islamists have retreated from several cities in central Mali but still control the north. AP