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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Mar- 2020 -16 March
Sweden’s government proposes to send 150 troops and helicopters to Mali for Task Force Takuba
The Swedish government plans to send 150 special forces personnel and helicopters to join the new France-led Task Force Takuba in Mali
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10 March
A French A400M airdropped 40 tonnes of supplies to troops in the Sahel
A French Airbus A400M transport aircraft airdropped almost 40 tonnes of supplies to troops operating in the troubled Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa
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Feb- 2020 -22 February
Joint Niger-Barkhane operation ‘neutralizes’ 120 terrorists, defense ministry says
A joint operation conducted by Nigerien and French forces "neutralized" 120 "terrorists" and seized bomb-making equipment in western Niger
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21 February
French actions ‘neutralize 50 terrorists’ near Mopti in central Mali
The France-led Operation Barkhane targeted ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliated fighters near Mopti in central Mali, 'neutralizing' around 50 militants
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19 February
Mali: French actions near Hombori ‘neutralize several terrorist fighters’
A series of actions near Hombori in Mali conducted by the France-led Operation Barkhane 'neutralized' insurgents and destroyed important logistical assets
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8 February
French operations in Mali put 30 militants ‘out of action,’ as Barkhane builds Sahel Coalition coordination
French military operations against Islamic State and al-Qaeda groups in Mali put 30 militants "out of action" as Barkhane builds Sahel Coalition mechanisms
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6 February
Sweden plans contribution to France-led Task Force Takuba in Mali
The Swedish Armed Forces is planning for a possible deployment including helicopters to the France-led special operations Task Force Takuba in Mali
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3 February
Mali to launch major new military Operation Maliko to counter terrorism and assert state authority
Mali is to launch a new military operation in seven troubled regions in the east and center to counter terrorist threats and assert state authority
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2 February
France boosts Barkhane force to 5,100 troops to further focus on Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger tri-border area
France is to boost the number of troops deployed to its Operation Barkhane counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel to 5,100
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Jan- 2020 -31 January
Africa offers US a ‘competitive edge’ over Russia and China, Townsend says
US AFRICOM commander Stephen Townsend said the US military presence in Africa should remain as part of the strategy to counter Russia and China
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