French forces step up efforts in Mali's Gao region

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — French military forces launched a fresh offensive Monday against jihadists in the northern Malian region of Gao who have staged a series of attacks since being ousted from power earlier this year, a French colonel said.

By nightfall, no direct fighting had been reported between French forces and the radical Islamic fighters from MUJAO, or Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa. The French troops were proceeding cautiously because one of the French hostages being held by the al-Qaida-linked militants is believed to be in the area.