France has once again deployed its military strength in Mali after a new wave of violence. On Thursday, September 27th , 120 paratroopers of the « Barkhane » force landed on Malian territory in the Ménaka region.
The operation follows a new episode of violence in the north of the country where 35 people died in one week. This area has been plagued for many years by numerous conflicts involving jihadists, Malian government forces and private militias.
This military intervention echoes the « Serval » operation in 2013 to fight the Islamist insurgency in northern Mali. From then on, French troops still present in the north of the country form a regional coalition with the Malian and Chadian government to secure this troubled area.
By Cécile Wlodarczak
Source
Le Monde: https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2018/09/28/au-mali-35-morts-en-une-semaine-la-force-barkhane-largue-120-parachutistes_5361337_3212.html
For further informations
Libération : https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2018/09/27/mali-huit-tues-par-des-engins-explosifs-la-france-largue-120-parachutistes_1681644
