French soldier killed in Mali

A French soldier was killed on Tuesday during an operation in northern Mali, the French president's office said.

The soldier from 511th regiment of Auxonne train died when a landmine blew up the vehicle in which he was traveling in northern Mali, the Elysee added.

Other servicemen were also wounded.

A total of 11 French soldiers have been killed so far in Mali since France launched its military offensive in January 2013 to crack down on Islamist fighters, who seized control of Mali's northern region a year earlier.

Paris with the support of African countries deployed 3,000 troops in the Sahel region last year to combat extremist insurgents and restore security in the area.

Source: XINHUA