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.
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Apr- 2022 -22 April
France Says Russians Staged French ‘Atrocity’ in Mali
The French army says it has filmed Russian mercenaries burying bodies near a Malian military base.
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Feb- 2022 -20 February
US-Led Anti-Jihadist Military Drills Begin in Ivory Coast
US-led anti-jihadist military drills began in Ivory Coast on Sunday, maintaining the West's counter-terror commitment in West Africa after France announced its withdrawal from Mali.
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17 February
France’s Mali Pullout Clears Path for Rivals: Experts
The withdrawal of French troops from Mali marks a loss of influence for Europe in Africa, leaving the way open for other powers, experts say.
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14 February
France Says Air Strikes Kill 40 in Burkina Linked to Benin Attacks
French troops in an anti-jihadist mission have killed 40 militants in Burkina Faso.
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Jan- 2022 -30 January
France Says Nearly 60 ‘Terrorists’ Killed Ahead of Burkina Coup
Nearly 60 "terrorists" were killed in Burkina Faso by local forces alongside French troops on the eve of the January 24 coup, France's military said.
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27 January
Denmark to Pull Troops Out of Mali After Junta Demands
Denmark will withdraw a newly deployed contingent of 100 troops from Mali after repeated demands, which Copenhagen denounced as a "political game" by the military junta.
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24 January
Mali Demands Denmark ‘Immediately’ Withdraw Its Forces
Mali's military government on Monday called on Denmark to "immediately" withdraw its roughly 100 recently arrived special forces troops deployed in the troubled Sahel country.
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23 January
French Soldier Killed in Mortar Attack in Mali
A French soldier was killed in a mortar attack on a military camp in the northern Mali city of Gao, France's presidency said on Sunday.
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18 January
Danish Soldiers Deploy to Troubled Mali
A contingent of some 90 Danish soldiers has arrived in Mali to join European special forces supporting the country's anti-jihadist operations.
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17 January
Mali Junta Seeks Review of Defense Accord With France
Mali has asked France for a review of bilateral defense accords against the backdrop of growing tensions between Paris and the ruling junta in Bamako.
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