Read a version of this story in Arabic.
Story highlights
France launched an offensive last month against militants in its former colony
It says it has 4,000 French soldiers in Mali
French troops are fighting alongside nearly 3,800 African soldiers
A monthlong French offensive has killed “hundreds” of Islamist fighters in Mali, the French defense minister said, as his troops prepare to start withdrawing next month.
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian gave the number of casualties to CNN affiliate BFM on Tuesday night. He did not offer additional details.
Read more: French leader makes jubilant trip to Mali
France, Mali’s former colonizer, has said it expects to begin pulling out its troops in March and leave African forces in control.
Despite the withdrawal, troops will continue operations to flush out militants in “some terrorist havens” in northern Mali, French officials said.
At Mali’s request, France launched an offensive last month against militants in its former colony. The ground and air campaign has sent Islamist fighters who had seized the northern region fleeing into the vast desert.
Last week, French President Francois Hollande visited Timbuktu, just days after French forces had freed the fabled city from Islamist militants.
Read more: Six reasons events in Mali matter
French-led troops now control Timbuktu and the city of Gao, along with a swath in between that was an Islamist stronghold for almost a year, the French Defense Ministry has said.
Troops are working to secure Kindal, the last major city under the grip of militants.
Over the past two days, sandstorms have hampered operations across the country.
Read more: Should we still fear al Qaeda?
Islamic extremists carved out a large portion of the north last year after a chaotic military coup.
They banned music, smoking, drinking and watching sports on television, and they destroyed historic tombs and shrines in the region. World leaders feared that the al Qaeda-linked militants would turn the area into a terrorist haven.
France has 2,150 soldiers in Mali and 1,000 more troops supporting the operation from elsewhere.
Read more: What’s behind the instability in Mali?
CNN’s Pierre Meilhan contributed to this report.