Concerns over African force in Mali grow as France withdraws
As France begins withdrawing its troops from Mali, a top US defence official has said a UN-mandated African force was "incapable" of taking over the battle against Islamist extremists.
France launches major offensive on Mali Islamists
A French force of 1,000 soldiers in a major offensive has swept a valley thought to be a logistics base for Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists near the Malian city of Gao.
Call for Britain to help military's Afghan interpreters
British military, political and academic figures on Saturday called on the government not to "abandon" the Afghan interpreters for the troops when they pull out of the country.
New Zealand troops begin withdrawal from Afghanistan
New Zealand troops began their withdrawal from Afghanistan Friday, with the lowering of the flag for the last time at their base in Bamiyan to mark the end of a 10-year involvement in the war.
C. African rebels recruit troops for new national army
The Seleka rebels who staged a successful coup in the Central African Republic last month are recruiting troops for a new national army, though nobody has the means to pay them.
US says kit removal from Afghanistan to cost $5-6 bn
The US operation to remove military hardware and vehicles from Afghanistan as troops withdraw after 12 years of war will cost between five and six billion dollars.
Mali troops sweep Timbuktu for Islamist rebels after battle
Malian troops swept Timbuktu for remaining Islamist fighters after a weekend battle that left seven dead and forced France to dispatch reinforcements and fighter jets to help Mali's army.
France says Mali troops to be cut to 1,000 by year-end
The 4,000 French soldiers deployed in Mali to fight Islamist rebels will be reduced to 1,000 by the end of the year.
Ban says 11,200 peacekeepers needed for Mali
Up to 11,200 troops could be needed for a peacekeeping mission in Mali but a "parallel" military force will have to battle radical Islamists.
S. Korea-US drill kicks off as tensions with North escalate
South Korean and US troops launched a joint military exercise Monday, prompting an infuriated North Korea, which has threatened both countries with nuclear attack, to sever a hotline with Seoul.
Philippine 'sultan' calls for ceasefire with Malaysia
A self-proclaimed Philippine sultan whose followers launched a deadly incursion into Malaysia last month called Thursday for a ceasefire, following a major offensive by Malaysian troops.
US, South Korea launch major joint exercises
Thousands of US troops converged on South Korea Friday for the start of annual joint military exercises, a report said, as tensions run high on the peninsula following North Korea's third nuclear test.
Assad says confident of winning Syria war
President Bashar al-Assad said he is confident his troops will win the conflict ravaging Syria, as new calls were made on Monday for the International Criminal Court to launch a probe into war crimes.
Russia arming Mali, more Islamist attacks feared
Russia revealed Wednesday it was supplying guns to Mali's government, as French troops defused a massive bomb in the north of the country, the latest bid by Islamist rebels to strike back.
Obama says 34,000 US troops to leave Afghanistan
President Barack Obama announced Tuesday that 34,000 troops would be pulled out of Afghanistan in the next year, and vowed that by the end of 2014 the US war in the country would be over.
Qaeda urges jihad against France in Mali: SITE
Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has called for jihad, or holy war, to thwart France's military intervention in Mali against Islamist rebels.
Fierce fighting in Syria, UN envoy meets opposition leader
Syrian rebels launched fierce assaults on government troops in several parts of the country on Sunday, as a UN envoy urged the leader of the opposition to seek dialogue with the Damascus regime.
'Hundreds' of rebels killed, France to leave Mali from March
French-led forces have killed hundreds of militants in fighting to reclaim northern Mali and with the rebels' last bastion secured, France said Tuesday it will begin withdrawing troops in March.
French troops at gates of last major city in northern Mali
French troops were at the gates of the last major city in northern Mali still outside their control early Wednesday after their forces landed at the airport in Kidal.
French-led troops close in on Timbuktu
French-led troops were closing in on Mali's fabled desert city of Timbuktu after capturing a string of other towns in their offensive against Islamists in the north of the country.
