Mali: Gao adjusting to life without Islamists Inhabitants of the northern Mali town of Gao are resuming their lives after French troops chased out Islmaist extremists. The Al Qaeda-linked Islamists in the north had implemented a harsh version of Islamic law, with public amputations, floggings and executions for offenders. However many Arabs and Tuaregs now fear reprisals as they are accused of sympathising with the rebels. Images of Gao.