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.
-
Sep- 2022 -1 September
50 Civilians Killed in Sweep by Malian and ‘Foreign’ Troops: UN
At least 50 civilians were killed and hundreds arrested in central Mali in April during an operation by the army and "foreign" personnel.
Read More » -
Aug- 2022 -19 August
France Condemns ‘Manipulation’ Over Mali Withdrawal
France condemned "increasing manipulation of information" about its military withdrawal from its former colony Mali.
Read More » -
18 August
Nigerien Group Calls for French Anti-Jihadist Force to Quit
A civil society movement in Niger launched an online petition to demand the departure of France's Barkhane anti-jihadist operation.
Read More » -
15 August
France Completes Mali Pullout
The last soldiers belonging to France's Barkhane operation in Mali have now left the African country, the French chiefs of staff said.
Read More » -
Jul- 2022 -29 July
Macron Vows to Support West Africa Against ‘Terrorism’
President Emmanuel Macron pledged to continue to back West African states in their battle against "terrorism."
Read More » -
26 July
France Committed to Africa’s Security, Says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron declared his country would support Africa's need for security as he began a three-country tour marked by France's military revamp in the jihadist-torn Sahel.
Read More » -
22 July
French Commander Accuses Wagner of ‘Preying’ on Mali
The commander of French anti-jihadist force Barkhane accused "mercenaries" from Russian group Wagner of "preying" on Mali.
Read More » -
1 July
EU’s Takuba Anti-Terror Force Quits Junta-Controlled Mali
The French-led Takuba task force of EU special forces has officially ceased operating in Mali, France announced Friday.
Read More » -
Jun- 2022 -16 June
Russian Mercenaries in Mali Base Days After France Pullout: Sources
Russian mercenaries arrived in the Malian town of Menaka just days after France's military pullout from the site.
Read More » -
15 June
France Claims Capture of Senior IS-GS Figure in Mali
French troops in Mali have captured a senior member of the Sahel affiliate of the Islamic State group, the French military said.
Read More »