Breaking News - France bombs rebel strongholds in northern Mali

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According to military sources and witnesses, more than 100 people, including rebels and government soldiers, were killed during an air assault by French forces. MSNBC's Thomas Roberts reports.French fighter jets pounded an Islamist rebel stronghold in northern Mali Sunday as Paris poured more troops into the capital Bamako.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld  France is determined to end Islamist domination of north Mali, which many fear could act as a base for attacks on the West and for links with al-Qaida in Yemen, Somalia and North Africa.

The attack on Gao, the largest city in the desert region controlled by the Islamist alliance, marked a decisive intensification on the third day of French air raids, striking at the heart of the vast territory seized by rebels in April. The rebels have occupied the northern two-thirds of the poor West African country.


Upward of 200 rebels have reportedly died in the firefight. Malian authorities said 11 soldiers were killed during a battle in Konna, and about 60 others were wounded.Nicolas Vissac / ECPAD via AFP - Getty ImagesA handout photo released by the French Army shows a French military preparing a Mirage 2000D fighter plane at the French military base of N'Djamena, Chad.  

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