BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- With the French military action in Mali now in its second week, Malian troops are continuing to battle against Islamist militants.

French and Malian forces say they have retaken the town of Diabaly, following days of airstrikes to dislodge rebel fighters there. The capture of Diabaly follows the retaking of Konna on Thursday.

At a military camp in the central Mopti region, Malian troops prepared weapons and military vehicles for the fight against the rebels. France says it started its attacks as it became clear that the rebels could break Mali’s military defences in Mopti.

The military operation is expected to force hundreds of thousands of more people from their homes, on top of the 400-thousand who have fled since the rebellion erupted last year.

(Source: CNTV.cn)