French defense minister confirms arrest of French Jihadist in Mali

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday confirmed a French citizen fighting with Islamist insurgents in Mali had been taken prisoner and would be extradited soon. Speaking to local broadcaster Europe 1, Le Drian said the French man had been captured with dozens of Islamist rebels by French forces in Adrar des Ifoghas mountains. "This shows that there was a creation of a terrorist and war chain that could recruit young people in search of a radical destiny as those who have been able to go to Afghanistan or Syria," the minister said. A day before, another French citizen arrested last November in Mali, was sent back to France. Le Drian added 30 French soldiers that suffered from minor injuries during operations in Mali were sent back to France. The French-led military operation in Mali was launched on Jan. 11 at the request of local authorities to help to fight off Islamist rebels. Some 100 rebel fighters and four French servicemen have been killed in fighting so far.