French troops have deployed in the northern Malian city of Kidal, the last major rebel stronghold remaining after operations to retake control in Gaoand Timbuktu.
French military officials said Wednesday the troops deployed overnight, continuing a week-long push to recapture the main cities in northern Mali.
The secular Tuareg rebel group MNLA said, earlier this week, its fighters had taken control of Kidal.
The Tuareg rebels joined with Islamist militants to seize northern Mali following a March coup. The two groups later split in a dispute about Sharia law and the Islamists asserted control of the region.
French and Malian troops searched houses in Timbuktu and Gao on Tuesday, recovering weapons and explosives left by fleeing Islamists. At least five people suspected of collaborating with the militants were detained in Gao.
In Timbuktu, residents looted stores owned by Arabs and Tuaregs suspected of working with the militants, who left earlier this week.