More soldiers arrive in Mali

Having come in 30 vehicles, the Burkina Faso fighters have now settled at Markala which is situated about 130 km from Segou and 370 km from the Malian capital.

The town is very strategic given the presence of a bridge linking the North and South of Mali through River Niger.

The Burkina Faso soldiers are an addition to the French forces who have been assisting the Malian army to stop the advancement of the rebels to the South via Markala bridge.

Burkina Faso have pledged to send 500 soldiers to Mali as part of the West African forces to support the Malian army in a war against al-Quida backed rebels in northern Mali.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is expected to send a contingent of 3,300 troops to its member state Mali. — Xinhua.