The French invasion of Mali began on Jan. 16 when 800 French troops landed in Mali — that number has now swelled to 2,500 and is expected to grow as the U.S. and other European nations send troops and supplies to support the mission.

 

With the material backing of the U.S., France entered Mali to bring a swift end to an insurgency of terrorist rebels in the northern territory of the West African country. While the presence of al-Qaeda fighters in the breakaway state of Azawad presents a serious security challenge to the Malians and its neighbors, skeptics charge that there are other motives behind the intervention.