French warplanes pounded Islamist militant targets in Mali Thursday as international efforts to help the African nation 's government fight insurgents gained momentum . For a fourth consecutive day , airstrikes hit in and around Diabaly -- a town in central Mali , about 400 kilometers ( 250 miles ) north of the capital of Bamako -- prompting men , women and children to flee or find cover , witnesses said . `` People are desperate to get out , '' said Ibrahim Toure , a civilian who left Diabaly on Thursday . French fighter jets targeted the town since Monday , after Islamist rebels settled in a military camp on its outskirts that had been abandoned by Malian soldiers . The Islamists told Diabaly 's residents they could stay , and they prevented some from leaving , said Cheick Oumar , a construction worker in the town . Read more : Why Mali matters . `` People are left without protection , '' he said . `` The rebels say they will not hurt anyone , but people are afraid they will turn Diabaly into a new Islamist stronghold and impose Sharia law . '' Mali had been one of the most successful democracies in Africa until last year , when a coup toppled the president and Islamists capitalized on the chaos by establishing themselves in the north . Read more : What 's behind the instability in Mali ? There , they imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law by banning music , smoking , drinking and watching sports on television . They also damaged Timbuktu 's historic tombs and shrines . The International Criminal Court has launched a war-crimes investigation amid reports that residents have been mutilated and killed for disobeying the Islamists . The United Nations has noted accounts of amputations , floggings and public executions such as the July stoning of a couple who had reportedly had an affair . As the rebels moved southward toward Bamako , such reports prompted an international response , led by the French . In addition to sending its warplanes , the French have stationed about 1,400 troops inside Mali in `` Operation Serval . '' Europe 's largest powers appeared united in their goal of removing al Qaeda-linked militants from the West African nation , where Islamist rebels are fighting to form their own territory in the north . This effort gained renewed urgency after militants -- upset at Algeria for allowing warplanes to use its airspace to launch attacks in Mali -- took hostage scores of Algerian and foreign workers at an Algerian gas facility about 60 kilometers ( about 40 miles ) west of the Libyan border . British PM : Prepare for 'bad news ' as Algerian hostage crisis unfolds . Nations including Germany , Belgium and Canada have pledged to contribute transport planes . Others , such as Italy , are promising `` logistical support '' for the operation . The United States is supporting the French-led effort in Mali `` with intelligence and airlift , '' said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton . The plan is for U.S. military aircraft , accompanied by U.S. military security forces , to fly French troops and equipment into a neighboring country -- because the airport in Bamako is `` very busy '' -- after which they can move on the ground , a U.S. defense official said . Washington has not decided whether to grant French requests for surveillance and aerial refueling services , the official said . By this weekend , U.S. trainers will be in Africa `` to offer pre-deployment training and sustainment packages '' for troops from African nations who are heading to Mali . Read more : France , Germany and Italy : Terrorists in Mali must go . In response to a request for help from Malian authorities , European Union foreign ministers agreed Thursday on a mission to train Mali 's army , the EU said . The mission is to include instructors , support staff and force protection for 15 months , it added . The agency has said about 450 non-combat troops will be launched , perhaps by next month . French President Francois Hollande has said it was a `` necessary decision '' to enter the country . `` There are terrorist networks which , following what happened in Libya last year , have installed themselves in a large part of West Africa and are trying to destabilize the area and are involved in trafficking , '' he said Thursday . `` Our duty is to put an end to this , and France assumes its responsibility . ''
U.S. military plans to fly French troops to nations near Mali , an official says . France has been helping Mali 's government battle Islamist militants from its north . Several other nations have vowed support for Mali . French airstrikes have recently struck near the central town of Diabaly .