Operation Barkhane
Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaeda took control of the desert north of Mali in early 2012, exploiting a Tuareg separatist uprising.
France began a military intervention the next year that evolved into the current Operation Barkhane deployment with a mandate for counter-terror operations across the Sahel region, encompassing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
Around 4,500 French personnel are deployed, and they work alongside the G5 Sahel joint counter-terrorism force that aims to train 5,000 troops, as well as peacekeepers deployed to the United Nations Minusma stabilization mission in Mali.
-
Mar- 2021 -31 March
French Strike in Mali Killed 19 Civilians in January: UN
A French air strike killed 19 civilians in Mali in January, a UN report said, prompting a strong denial from France.
Read More » -
30 March
Niger Leader Calls France’s Sahel Force ‘Relative Failure’
Niger's president called France's anti-jihadist force in West Africa a "relative failure" despite years of efforts, and said a partial troop drawdown would have only a limited impact.
Read More » -
26 March
Strike Kills Six in Mali in Disputed Circumstances
Six people were killed in northeastern Mali on Thursday in disputed circumstances, with French forces saying a strike targeted jihadists and local residents alleging those left dead were young hunters.
Read More » -
Feb- 2021 -17 February
France Maintains Sahel Force to ‘Decapitate’ Al-Qaeda Groups
President Macron pledged to keep French troops in the Sahel region of western Africa, to help "decapitate" Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent groups that local governments are struggling to hold back.
Read More » -
16 February
Chad to Send Troops to Sahel Jihadist Flashpoint
Chad will send 1,200 troops to combat jihadists in a flashpoint Sahel border zone as France looks to reduce its longstanding military presence in the region.
Read More » -
15 February
France to Meet Sahel Leaders as It Mulls Troop Drawdown
France and five allies gather on Monday to discuss the Sahel's jihadist insurgency, with Paris looking for support enabling it to cut French troop numbers in the strife-torn region.
Read More » -
9 February
British Army Troops in Mali Use Grenade Launcher-Fired Mini-Drones
British Army troops stationed in Mali are using mini-drones that can be fired from grenade launchers and are designed to carry a range of payloads.
Read More » -
Jan- 2021 -27 January
100 Jihadists Killed in French-Malian Offensive
A hundred jihadists were killed this month in a joint Franco-Malian offensive in the West African country's lawless center, the Malian army said Tuesday.
Read More » -
25 January
Suspected Jihadists Kill Six Mali Soldiers in Twin Attacks
Twin attacks on the army in Mali killed six soldiers, while some 30 suspected jihadists were also left dead in a fightback with help from French troops.
Read More » -
20 January
Mali Security Forces Disperse Rally Against French Army
Mali's security forces fired tear gas at dozens of demonstrators in the capital Bamako during an unauthorized rally against France's military role in the country.
Read More »