Lapatilla
A Malian soldier walks past French military vehicles on January 20, 2013 in the city of Niono, about 350 kms (220 miles) northeast of the capital Bamako and 60 kms south of Diabaly, which was seized on January 14 by Islamists and then heavily bombed by French warplanes. A spokesman for the French military operation codenamed Serval said on January 20 that French forces were advancing towards Mali’s Islamist-held north after taking up positions in the towns of Niono and Sevare. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO