the fight began the night of 25 to 26 january, during the day french soldiers took position and snipers were placed on a hill overlooking the village of wabaria and the river. the city is watched from the sky by c-130 and atlantic planes. shortly before midnight, the men of the 1st rpima go to the entrance of the wabaria bridge. the jihadists then send a pickup loaded with explosive, but it is destroyed in an impressive explosion by the french fire when it comes to about five meters from their position. a motorcycle is also destroyed and four jihadists are killed. supported by the snipers, the men of the 1st rpima and the cap-10 take control of the south entrance of the bridge, but they prefer not to go further for fear of traps. for their part, rafale aircraft intervene three times and hit several buildings in the area, they also destroy an armored brdm-2.