French soldiers take up positions near Independence Plaza, formerly Sharia Square, during fighting with...
French soldiers take up positions near Independence Plaza, formerly Sharia Square, during fighting with Islamists in Gao, February 21, 2013. French and Malian troops fought Islamists on the streets of Gao and a car bomb exploded in Kidal on Thursday, as fighting showed little sign of abating weeks before France plans to start withdrawing some forces. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MALI - Tags: MILITARY CIVIL UNREST)