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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Jul- 2019 -8 JulyAfrica
UK extends helicopter deployment to France-led Operation Barkhane in the Sahel
The British military deployment to the France-led counter-terrorism Operation Barkhane in the Sahel region will be extended, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said
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Jun- 2019 -21 JuneAfrica
France-led cross-border Operation Aconit kills 18 more Islamic State fighters in Niger
Niger's defense minister said 18 Islamic State fighters were killed near the Mali border in the joint Operation Aconit involving US, French, Nigerien and Malian troops
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17 JuneAfrica
Joint Mali-France commando operation kills 20 ‘terrorists’ in Menaka
More than 20 "terrorists" were killed in joint operation against Islamic State in the Greater Sahara conducted by French and Malian forces in coordination with Niger's military
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May- 2019 -10 MayAfrica
French soldiers killed in Burkina Faso raid to free foreign hostages
French forces freed two French hostages as well as an American and a South Korean in Burkina Faso in a raid that cost the lives of two soldiers
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Apr- 2019 -10 AprilAfrica
France and Mali troops kill 30 militants in major counter-terrorism operation near Burkina Faso border
French and Malian troops killed or captured more than 30 extremists and dismantled a training camp during a major counter-terrorism operation near Mali's border with Burkina Faso
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9 AprilAfrica
Mali soldiers shoot civilians in Dioura after ‘surprise’ mortar test fire
Malian soldiers shot dead at least one villager and injured four others after an explosion they mistook for an attack in Dioura in the central Mopti region
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3 AprilAfrica
French military doctor killed by explosive device in Mali’s Gourma
A French military doctor was killed when an improvised explosive device struck his armored vehicle in Mali's Gourma region near the Burkina Faso border
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Mar- 2019 -25 MarchAfrica
Jihadists losing grip in Mali but peace will take time, French armed forces chief says
France's armed forces chief said jihadists in Mali are on the back foot but restoring peace in the poor Sahel country will take time
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Feb- 2019 -28 FebruaryAfrica
Denmark proposes deployment to France’s Operation Barkhane in the Sahel
The Danish government announced that it plans to send troops and transport helicopters to support France's Operation Barkhane in the Sahel
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6 FebruaryAfrica
French Mirage 2000 jets again strike vehicles in northern Chad
French Mirage 2000 jets carried out fresh strikes against an armed convoy which crossed into Chad from Libya, after earlier strikes failed to halt its advance
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