US tells embassy families to leave Mali

The US State Department has told families of US embassy staff in Bamako, Mali, to leave. In a warning, the department also advised Americans against all travel to the west African nation because of fighting and Islamic militant activity in the north and central regions. The department warns of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners and of food shortages, the loss of government control in some areas and the presence of militants linked to al Qaida. France has launched air strikes and sent troops to its former colony in attempt to regain control of the regions that have fallen to the militants.