The Times's Greg Winter talks about the escalating conflict in Mali, where the government along with France is battling Islamist insurgents.

News reports said militants took the hostages, including Japanese, French and Irish nationals, in retaliation for the French-led intervention in Mali.

Islamist militants attacked a gas production field in southern Algeria on Wednesday, kidnapping at least seven foreigners and killing a French national, officials said.

As French ground troops deployed in the north, it was becoming clear that airstrikes alone may not be enough to root out battle-hardened Malian rebels.

Airstrikes alone may not be enough to root out battle-hardened Malian rebels, who have spent months accumulating arms, constructing defenses and reinforcing their ranks.

President Andry Rajoelina said Tuesday he would not run in May elections, bowing to international pressure to give the nation a fresh start after the coup that brought him to power in 2009.