Jihadists Capture Konna — Triggering French Emergency Intervention

AQIM, Ansar Dine, and MUJAO forces capture the strategic town of Konna, placing them within 70 km of Sévaré airport — the only military-capable airfield outside Bamako. Amadou Koufa personally leads the assault, briefly declaring himself 'Sultan of Konna.' Malian interim President Traoré declares a state of emergency and requests French military assistance the same day.