About 1,000 African soldiers now in Mali, France says

The French military spokesman, Col. Thierry Burkhard made the announcement on Monday, stressing that troops from the West African countries of Togo, Benin, Niger and Nigeria in addition to Central African country of Chad are in Mali. 
 
On January 11, France launched a war on Mali under the pretext of halting the advance of fighters in the West African country. 
 
Presently, France has over 2,100 forces in Mali while its Western allies have provided Paris with logistical support.
 
France has also received intelligence support from the United States. 
 
On January 15, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta hailed France’s war on Mali and said the US military was prepared to back the French bombing campaign in the African country. 
 
Canada, the UK, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark have expressed their support for the French war. 
 
Meanwhile, on Monday, British Prime Minister David Cameron said London was ready to offer more military and logistic aid to the French war in Mali. 
 
Addressing a parliament session, Cameron said the UK government's National Security Council would hold a meeting on the issue later on Tuesday. 
 
Also on Monday, French and Malian troops seized the towns of Diabaly and Douentza in central Mali. According to France's Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Canada and Germany have offered vital aid for the attack on the towns. 
French forces say they are now advancing towards the north, which is still under the control of the fighters. 
 
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also pledged to support the French war by sending 5,800 soldiers to Mali.