Nasser Abu Ghaly, a teacher helping to organise the party, says feelings this Christmas are mixed.

BBC: Worry taints Egyptian Coptic Christmas

One of Ansar Dine's lieutenants, Iyad Ag Ghaly, was killed in the fight over the central town of Konna, security sources said.

CNN: SHARE THIS

One of the group's lieutenants, Iyad Ag Ghaly, was killed in the fight over the central town of Konna, security sources said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

And when the militants last week advanced towards Konna, the northernmost outpost of government control, it seemed reasonable to speculate that the group's wily leader Iyad Ag Ghaly was merely stepping up the pressure in hope of securing extra concessions.

BBC: France: How was it dragged into the Malian conflict?