Mali army 'regains Konna' as Nigerian troops arrive Mali's army has recaptured Konna after Islamist rebels fled, the military and residents in the strategically important central town have said. France began its intervention in Mali a week ago because of the rebel takeover of the town north of the capital. Earlier this week, French officials denied a claim by the Malian army that the government had regained Konna. Meanwhile, Nigeria has said it will increase to 1,200 its troops in the West African force deploying in Mali. We have wrested total control of Konna after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy End Quote Mali army statement About 100 Togolese and Nigerian soldiers landed in the capital, Bamako, on Thursday - the first of the long-planned West African force that will join the French and Malian armies in fighting the Islamist insurgents that took over northern Mali last year. On Thursday, France said it was increasing its troop strength to 1,400 after intervening initially with air strikes to try and halt a rapid advance by the Islamists. Correspondents say a strong contingent of the French are at Segou, north-east of Bamako, to guard a major bridge across the Niger river, which the rebels would have to cross to threaten the capital. Street fighting Bamako-based journalist Kodji Siby told BBC Africa that he had spoken to residents in Konna, about 550km (340 miles) north of Bamako, who said the Islamists fled the town when Malian soldiers deployed. Some 1,400 French troops in Mali, 900 troops involved elsewhere in Africa Nigeria to send 1,200 troops; Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo expected to send 500 each, and Benin 300 "We have wrested total control of Konna after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy," the AFP news agency quoted a Malian army statement as saying. The area is not accessible to independent observers and the aid group Doctors Without Borders told the Associated Press it had been trying to get to Konna since Monday but all roads leading to the area were closed by the Malian military. On Thursday, French forces were bombarding the town of Diabaly, 350km from capital, which was captured by Islamists earlier in the week. There was fighting on the streets until 03:00 GMT on Friday, Diabaly Mayor Oumar Diakite said from nearby Niono. Defence sources say France is likely to boost its troop numbers to 2,500. Nigeria will lead the West African force, with Chad, Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo also sending soldiers.