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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Jan- 2019 -31 JanuaryAfrica
France conducts air operations in Mali and Burkina Faso
Aircraft deployed to France's Operation Barkhane have recently conducted air operations in Mali and Burkina Faso
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28 JanuaryAfrica
At least 4 Burkina Faso soldiers killed in attack on military base in Nassoumbou
At least four Burkina Faso soldiers were killed when gunmen raided a military base in Nassoumbou in Soum province in the northeast, the armed forces said
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17 JanuaryAfrica
France conducts air operations in Mali and Central African Republic
France has recently conducted air operations in Central African Republic and in the Sahel region, the Armed Forces Ministry said
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Dec- 2018 -30 DecemberAfrica
Joint France-Niger air and ground operation near Tongo Tongo kills 15 ‘terrorists’
French airstrikes followed by two days of ground operations in the Tongo Tongo area near the Mali border killed 15 'terrorists', the French Army said
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20 DecemberAfrica
French airstrike in Mali kills six ‘terrorists’ near Niger border
At least six "members of an armed terrorist group" were killed overnight in a French air strike in southeastern Mali, a French military spokesperson said
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Oct- 2018 -18 OctoberAfrica
‘Terrorist camp’ destroyed after joint France-Mali force attacked by 50 militants
Malian and French forces supported by Tigre helicopters and Mirage 2000 fighter jets destroyed a "terrorist camp" after they were attacked in the Ndaki area, the defense ministry said
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18 OctoberAfrica
French soldier killed in accident in Mali
A French soldier has died in accident while performing maintenance on a truck while deployed to Operation Barkhane in Mali, the army said
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11 OctoberAfrica
Mali: RAF C-17 makes first direct flight to Gao to resupply British forces
A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster from 99 Squadron flew from RAF Brize Norton direct to Gao airport in Mali for the first time, the RAF said
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9 OctoberAfrica
France air operation in Burkina Faso confirmed after reports of strikes near Pama
The French armed forces confirmed helicopters were used in operations in Burkina Faso's East region, after reports said aircraft struck targets in the forests around Pama
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8 OctoberAfrica
G5 Sahel joint counter-terrorism force to launch 3 operations ‘in coming weeks’ – Parly
The G5 Sahel joint counter-terrorism force is to launch three operations in coming weeks, France's Minster for the Armed Forces Florence Parly said.
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