Mali's Prime Minister Moussa Mara arrives in the northern town of Kidal Saturday.
Fighting had already broken out with Tuareg separatists killing one solider and wounding dozens more. They abducted about 30 civil servants.
Taking refuge at an army base, the Prime Minister responded to the bold move with an equally bold announcement.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) MALIAN PRIME MINISTER MOUSSA MARA SAYING:
"Taking into account this declaration of war, as this action cannot be seen differently, the Republic of Mali is henceforth at war. We will bring the appropriate response to this situation that will not be left as it is."
He asks where were the UN forces?
(SOUNDBITE) (French) MALIAN PRIME MINISTER MOUSSA MARA SAYING:
"I think the least that we could have expected from U.N. peacekeeping force was that the governor's office was not attacked. I think."
French forces drove back Islamist fighters last year. Now the government's focus has turned back