Context: The conflict in northern Mali began in January 2012 with radical Islamists (affiliated to al-Qaeda) advancing into northern Mali. The Malian government had a hard time maintaining full control over their country. The fledgling government requested support from the international community on combating the Islamic militants. In January 2013, France intervened on behalf of the Malian government's request and deployed troops into the region. They launched Operation Serval on 11 January 2013, with the hopes of dislodging the al-Qaeda affiliated groups from northern Mali.

Question: When did a Mali conflict begin?
Answer: January 2012

Question: What group were the Mali radicals affiliated with?
Answer: al-Qaeda

Question: When did France provide troops in Mali?
Answer: January 2013

Question: What did France call its Mali operation?
Answer: Operation Serval

Question: What was Operation Serval's goal?
Answer: dislodging the al-Qaeda affiliated groups from northern Mali

Question: Where did a conflict begin in January 2013?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What government asked for help from the national community for combating Islamic militants?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What country intervened on behalf of the Malian government in January 2012?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: When was Serval Operation launched? 
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: On whose behalf did the Malian government intervene?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What was the name of the Islamist advance into northern Mali?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: When were al-Qaeda groups removed from northern Mali?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What did the French government struggle to maintain?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Who did Islamic militants request help from?
Answer: Unanswerable