Yasmine Ryan/Al Jazeera
The Mali army has struggled to fight the armed groups that took much of the north of the country nearly a year ago. Mali has been reluctant to accept French and ECOWAS intervention, calling instead for support with training and arms. Many Western countries refused to sell the military weapons after a coup in March 2012.
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A group of men selling sheep in central Bamako said the ongoing crisis has made their business much slower. Originally from the town of Nara, they fled the conflict for Bamako last year. "People don't have money anymore," said Cheikh Dicko, right. "We are relieved by the French intervention, but there are still lots of problems."
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Fatma Toure, right, fled Konna with her husband and children on January 10, when the armed group Ansar Dine briefly captured the town. The French sent in forces to help the Malian army recapture the north that same day. Fatma's cousin, Aichata Toure, left, lost a brother, who was among the soldiers killed by Ansar Dine in Konna
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Malians go to Friday prayer in Bamako. Islam came to the region in the ninth century, and the towns of Timbuktu and Gao soon became influential centres of religious scholarship. Many Malians, however, view the harsh brand of Islam imposed on the north by armed groups as antithetical to their own religious practices and traditions.
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Mohammed Agata fled Timbuktu for Bamako three weeks ago, to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. His hometown is one of the main bastions of armed groups. French and Malian troops are expected to try to retake Timbuktu this weekend.
Yasmine Ryan/Al Jazeera
Across Bamako, French and Malian flags can be seen waving side by side. "The French people came to save my country and I am happy about that," Kanati Aboubacar said as he stopped to buy a French flag by the side of the road. "The terrorists would have come to Bamako. They are bandits and drug dealers," he said.