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US reportedly helping France fight terrorists in Mali

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    Greg Palkot reports from London

  • Duration 3:25
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In the meantime there is breaking news on reports the US is now helping France.

Battle Islamist militants in the West African country of -- According to a French foreign minister of the US is providing.

Communications health and transportation for military personnel fighting to take back full control.

Of the country at the 103 on the map behind us we can show you the location from -- But this has been.

Our topic of discussion for sometime now when it comes to islamists and powers in the future government of Egypt.

We've talked quite a bit about Libya over the past two years since Qaddafi was thrown out of power also is a relates to.

Ben Ghazi now this country here it's started to pop up let's advance it one time used to be a bit of an explanation here.

For about ten years islamists have been working in -- and at north and mostly in the northern part of the country.

And if you were to get some sort of US help assisting the French.

We believe it would take place in the northern part of this country where just about a year ago islamists seize control.

Of of this half -- -- cuts live on this story at a London out of bring us a bit more on what is happening there Greg what can report on the ground good morning to you.

The bill it -- bill it is being described as a new front in the war on terror it has to do with the militant organization -- the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

That organization is active across much of what you were just talking about.

Much of northern Africa.

US military officials we have spoken to call -- the best funded the most dangerous chapter of the terror organization.

And just last year as you noted rebels associated with that group occupied the northern half of -- they imposed -- -- -- there now when they started making moves south last week that is when France -- they sent -- over 500 ground troops and they stage and are staging airstrikes -- fighter jets and attack helicopters.

In the north and in the central area -- one French pilot is said to have been killed but -- said to -- also dozens of deaths casualties.

On the other side France right now bill is claiming they have blunted the rebel moved to the south inside that country -- but there are.

No reports of contrary.

To what extent would the US get involved would have you heard -- the possibilities well.

Very flatly -- US has a big stake in this fight for example the militants who attacked the US consulate and then Ghazi Libya last September.

You're leaving for Americans dead including the ambassador to.

Libya are said to have at the very least communicated with or -- had support from -- al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and even before that attack.

The US I have heard it have big concerns about the spread of terror from this group.

They've been training local troops there have been reports a special forces on the ground even in the country of Mali and -- the US has been behind a UN plan that's been moving in the past couple of months to get both the west and African troops involved.

Now France's move to UK is supporting this we're still waiting officially from Washington whether they will agree to these requests from France for logistical support the feeling is yes we want to help.

But from what I'm hearing for US officials there are still a lot of concerns a lot of worries about this operation back.

Okay great thank you Greg -- got.

In London --

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