In a separate incident, a Malian army vehicle drove over a land mine during a patrol Saturday around 110 kilometers (70 miles) from the northern Malian town of Ansongo, killing two people on board, said the Malian military.

NPR: Islamic Extremists Attack Timbuktu In North Mali

When French troops moved into Kidal, a distant and largely Tuareg town this week, they took the town without Malian troops.

WSJ: French President Speaks of Exit from Mali

French and Malian forces retook the key town of Konna from militants Friday, a French source said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS