Conflict in Mali

French warplanes bomb Islamist militant bases deep in the Ifoghas mountains. Tuareg rebels also announce the capturing of two Islamist commanders.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announces the desire to decrease forces starting in March. The hybrid model of deploying African troops on the United Nation's dime has fallen out of favor due to insufficient funds. Instead, France decides that the United Nations should begin creating troops to replace the current French Troops.

Islamists are known to be hiding in the rocky Ifoghas mountain ranges, one of Africa's harshest and most unknown mountain ranges. Gunfire also breaks out in the strategic town of Gao.

French forces find a statsh of explosives in which they believe belong to Islamist fighters. There were also two suicide bombings.

Militant forces that previously held posts in larger cities have moved to smaller villages.

A prominent investigative judge has claimed that the French Involvement has increased the possibility of domestic terrorism, citing that certain citizens of African heritage are becoming willing to fight under the Jihadists.

Chadian officials declare the fact that nearly 100 Islamists have been killed in firefight. It seems that it was the most deadly battle since the war has begun.

The French military decides that it will not negotiate with Boko Haram, a Nigerian Islamist group, about the recent hostage incident that included seven French citizens.

United Nations has donated $17 million of the proposed $373 million to the relief fund in Mali.

The UN Peacekeeping Force that has been in discussion for some time now has been forced to be postponed until April. French Forces will not decrease until this time, either.

One of the top commanders of the North African Al Qaeda wing, Abou Zeid, is killed by French forces.

Fighting in Mali is not ending any time soon: French military strikes more Jihadist territories and have called upon (with Chadian troops) more African troops for help.

Fighter jets have increased their aerial presence, revealing an increasing need for French presence.

President Hollande sets a goal of the withdrawal of troops by early April.

Two French citizens are accused of organizing terrorist attacks and are detained due to high concern for French security. They were charged with making explosives. It is assumed that the two citizens have a connection to Al Qaeda.

French forces find even more weapons stockpiled by Al Qaeda-linked Islamists. It is presumed that these weapons would have been used for an international attack based upon their size and amount.

Boukary Daou, the editor-in-chief of The Republican (a Malian newspaper) was arrested for publishing a letter from an army official, revealing corruption in the Malian army.

French officials decide to introduce a resolution that will approve of the UN Peacekeeping troops to take over.

African and French officials have declared the concern that African soldiers who are supposed to take the reigns in the Malian conflict are by no means prepared for warfare. United States, among other countries, come in to train.

Al Qaeda declares that French hostage has been beheaded in protest to the French intervention.

Official confirmation of the death of Abu Zeid, regional leader of Al Qaeda.

UN Secretary-General Ki-moon has said that there will need to be at least 11,200 troops for the peacekeeping mission, in addition to a permanent force to go beyond the abilities of the UN.

Small band of radical Islamists begin a battle with French and Malian forces in Timbuktu. First major violence since January 2013: six proclaimed dead with over 10 attackers.

The Malian Army begins training with the European Union Training Mission. Plans are to completely rebuild Malian troops and prepare 670 soldiers to be combat ready.

France proposes a permanent military force of 1,000 troops in Mali.

A young Camel was presented to Hollande by the Malian Government as a thank you for the French intervention. A Malian family mistakenly slaughters the camel and eats it, but the Malian Government ensures that they will send a new camel.

President of Chad decides to pull out all remaining Chadian troops after 3 months of conflict.