4th battle of Gao February 20 – 23 attack . Ten days after MOJWA launched its first attack on Gao , with the intent of retaking the city they launched another one on 20 February 2013 . At around 22 : 00 - 23 : 00 local time , MOJWA fighters began exchanging fire with a group of Malian soldiers patrolling through the streets . Fighting had then escalated when MOJWA fighters seized the palace of Independence and the palace of Justice . The fighting continued all through the night between Islamists , Malian and Nigerien troops supported by French helicopters . The fighting took place in Ward 4 , north of the city and in the city center near the town hall . During the night , the jihadists crossed the river Niger with canoes and came close to the city center . They then seized the town hall and the governor ' s house . The clash took place near the city hall and the courthouse as well as North and South entrances of the city . Abu Walid Sahraoui , MOJWA spokesman , told the AFP : " Our troops were ordered to attack . If the enemy is stronger , we will return back for more , until the release of Gao . " It does not specify the number of attackers , but there was an estimate of forty Islamists according to the Malian military and thirty according to the French . At 7 : 00 , the Islamists got to Independence Square , and the courthouse was burned , as well as a gas station , and the fire spread to the central market where many stalls were destroyed . Malian forces were commanded by Colonel Major Dacko , and consisted of the police forces and the National Guard . MOJWA fighters were hiding in the town hall and nearby buildings , they were positioned on the roofs and windows were equipped with several sniper rifles according to Malian soldiers . In the morning , at 3 : 00 , the Malian forces surrounded and besieged Islamist positions , they opened fire with heavy machine guns and rocket - propelled grenades . At around noon , an armored column of the Malian army pushed to the Town Hall . Malians were then reinforced by 200 French soldiers of the 92nd French Infantry Regiment which came from the international airport Gao Korogoussou where French forces are based . The French then sent the QRF GTIA 2 composed of a section of VABs , and three companies of VBCI and two gazelle helicopters . The group was led by Colonel Bert , head of the task force . The French positioned near the town hall , and the company of VBCI opened fire with all weapons : canon 25mm , AT4 , ALI , Eryx . They were supported by two Gazelles , which fired a missile . Soldiers of the Tuareg groups under Ag Gamou Colonel also arrived as reinforcements . They opened fire with small arms before deploying on the banks of the river . Elements of the Quick Reaction Force positioned themselves on the terrace of the Regional Assembly of Gao , which adjoins the courthouse . For 8 hours in total , Malians and the French besieged the city hall where the jihadists were entrenched . Malians deployed six pick - ups equipped with heavy machine guns . Along with fighting in the town center , the checkpoint north of the city , defended by soldiers from Niger , was harassed by jihadist groups . Islamists were repelled , with two of them killed . Calm returns late afternoon , the French soldiers return to the airport . The Islamists were ousted from the city hall and the governorate and the town hall was bombed by a French helicopter . However , a few shots continued to be heard in the morning of 22nd .