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.
-
Dec- 2022 -16 DecemberAfrica
Berlin Sets Bamako Terms for Troops to Stay in Mali to 2024
German forces will stay in Mali until 2024 only if the junta allows them to operate freely, Germany's defense minister said.
Read More » -
Nov- 2022 -10 NovemberAfrica
Macron Ends France’s Africa Mission, Ponders New Strategy
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France was ending its Barkhane anti-jihadist mission in Africa after over a decade.
Read More » -
9 NovemberAfrica
France to Unveil Shift in West Africa Anti-Jihadist Fight
French President Emmanuel Macron will announce a strategic shift for its military forces deployed in the Sahel region of Western Africa.
Read More » -
Sep- 2022 -1 SeptemberAfrica
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 AugustAfrica
France Condemns ‘Manipulation’ Over Mali Withdrawal
France condemned "increasing manipulation of information" about its military withdrawal from its former colony Mali.
Read More » -
18 AugustAfrica
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 AugustAfrica
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 JulyAfrica
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 JulyAfrica
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 JulyEurope
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 »
