Mali Islamists seize town amid French intervention The BBC's Mark Doyle reports from the Mali capital Bamako, where he is one of the few correspondents on the ground Continue reading the main story Mali: Divided nation Risky move? Who's who? Ansar Dine leader Mali profile Islamist fighters in Mali have seized a town in government-controlled territory amid a military intervention by France. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Diabaly, 400km (250 miles) from the capital, Bamako, was taken in a counter-attack on Monday. Mr Le Drian insisted France's campaign was "developing favourably". He said Islamists had retreated in the east but admitted French forces were facing a "difficult" situation against well-armed rebels in western areas. Aid workers said many people had been fleeing areas targeted by the French. The UN Security Council is due to discuss Mali later on Monday. Continue reading the main story “ ...