French armed drone hits Mali militants

The French military has confirmed it launched an attack against Islamist militants in Mali using an armed drone over the weekend. This marks the first time such equipment has been used during the conflict. 

Speaking on Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron said French forces killed 33 militants in the central Malian region of Mopti. The area is controlled by an Islamist group called Katiba Macina. 

The strike came just two days after the French military had finished testing their remotely controlled armed drones. 

The drone strike was carried out as a follow up to Saturday’s main operation, in which 33 jihadists were killed, bringing the total to 40. 

France is reported to have three drones based near Niamey, the capital of Niger. 

Photo credit: AP