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| Thirteen French troops killed in helicopter crash in Mali | Thirteen French troops killed in helicopter crash in Mali |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thirteen French soldiers were killed when two helicopters collided during an operation against jihadists in Mali, the French president's office said. | Thirteen French soldiers were killed when two helicopters collided during an operation against jihadists in Mali, the French president's office said. |
| It's believed to be the biggest single loss of life for the French military since the 1980s. | |
| French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "deep sadness" over the incident. An investigation has begun. | French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "deep sadness" over the incident. An investigation has begun. |
| In 2013, France deployed thousands of troops to Mali after Islamist militants seized huge parts of the north. | In 2013, France deployed thousands of troops to Mali after Islamist militants seized huge parts of the north. |
| Mali's army has since recaptured the territory but insecurity there continues and the violence has spread to other countries in the region. | Mali's army has since recaptured the territory but insecurity there continues and the violence has spread to other countries in the region. |
| France now has 4,500 troops deployed to support the forces of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad against Islamist militants. | France now has 4,500 troops deployed to support the forces of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad against Islamist militants. |
| The Tiger attack helicopter and Cougar military transport collided mid-air on Monday when they were supporting ground forces engaging insurgents near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger. | The Tiger attack helicopter and Cougar military transport collided mid-air on Monday when they were supporting ground forces engaging insurgents near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger. |
| Among the dead was the son of centrist Senator Jean-Marie Bockel, the politician told the AFP news agency. | Among the dead was the son of centrist Senator Jean-Marie Bockel, the politician told the AFP news agency. |
| "These 13 heroes had only one goal: to protect us," President Macron wrote in a tweet. "I bow my head to their loved ones and comrades." | "These 13 heroes had only one goal: to protect us," President Macron wrote in a tweet. "I bow my head to their loved ones and comrades." |
| Another French soldier, Brig Ronan Pointeau, was killed earlier this month after an explosive device detonated near his vehicle. | Another French soldier, Brig Ronan Pointeau, was killed earlier this month after an explosive device detonated near his vehicle. |
| In total, 38 French soldiers have been killed in Mali since the country first intervened. | In total, 38 French soldiers have been killed in Mali since the country first intervened. |
| The brunt of the violence though is faced by local forces and civilians. An attack on a northern military post this month left 53 Malian troops dead. | The brunt of the violence though is faced by local forces and civilians. An attack on a northern military post this month left 53 Malian troops dead. |
| French mission grinds to a halt | French mission grinds to a halt |
| The helicopter accident that has killed 13 of its soldiers is more bad news for France from a combat mission already beset with questions over its efficacy and purpose. | The helicopter accident that has killed 13 of its soldiers is more bad news for France from a combat mission already beset with questions over its efficacy and purpose. |
| After initial successes in suppressing Islamist rebels in northern Mali in 2013, the French deployment was extended into a regional mandate under the operational name Barkhane. | After initial successes in suppressing Islamist rebels in northern Mali in 2013, the French deployment was extended into a regional mandate under the operational name Barkhane. |
| But recent months have seen a resurgence of groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda, with the focus of their activity shifting to the centre-east of Mali and the area bordering Niger and Burkina Faso. | But recent months have seen a resurgence of groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda, with the focus of their activity shifting to the centre-east of Mali and the area bordering Niger and Burkina Faso. |
| Writing recently in Le Monde, a former defence co-ordinator at the French foreign ministry warned that operation Barkhane was "in an impasse". | Writing recently in Le Monde, a former defence co-ordinator at the French foreign ministry warned that operation Barkhane was "in an impasse". |
| "On the ground the facts are plain. The rise in strength of the jihadists is a reality we can no longer deny. It is they who have the initiative," wrote Bruno Clément-Bollée. | "On the ground the facts are plain. The rise in strength of the jihadists is a reality we can no longer deny. It is they who have the initiative," wrote Bruno Clément-Bollée. |
| "In the Sahel, France has a lot to be worried about… We seem to have no idea how to get out of the quagmire." | "In the Sahel, France has a lot to be worried about… We seem to have no idea how to get out of the quagmire." |