French Gazelle military helicopters, flying back from the city of Timbuktu, land at the French army base camp airport on January 28, 2013 in Sevare. French forces are advancing towards Mali's Islamist-held north after taking up positions in the towns of Niono and Sevare, a spokesman for the French military operation codenamed Serval said January 28, 2013. Sevare has a strategically important airport which could help serve as a base for operations further north. It is about 630 kilometres north-east of Bamako. AFP PHOTO / FRED DUFOUR