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France sets up anti-Islamist force in Africa's Sahel | France sets up anti-Islamist force in Africa's Sahel |
(3 days later) | |
France is to set up a new military operation in the Sahel region of northern Africa in an effort to stop the emergence of jihadist groups. | France is to set up a new military operation in the Sahel region of northern Africa in an effort to stop the emergence of jihadist groups. |
About 3,000 French soldiers will be deployed, along with troops from Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad. | About 3,000 French soldiers will be deployed, along with troops from Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad. |
On Monday France ended its military deployment in Mali, set up 18 months ago after an Islamist insurgency there. | On Monday France ended its military deployment in Mali, set up 18 months ago after an Islamist insurgency there. |
French forces helped the Malian government recapture the north from al-Qaeda-linked militants last year. | French forces helped the Malian government recapture the north from al-Qaeda-linked militants last year. |
Counter-terrorism | Counter-terrorism |
The new long-term force, named Operation Barkhane, will be based in the Chadian capital N'Djamena, but will have a mandate to operate across borders. | |
It will target Islamist extremists in Mali, Chad and Niger. | It will target Islamist extremists in Mali, Chad and Niger. |
The French troops will be backed by six fighter jets, 20 helicopters and three drones. | The French troops will be backed by six fighter jets, 20 helicopters and three drones. |
The main objective of Operation Barkhane is counter-terrorism, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said. | The main objective of Operation Barkhane is counter-terrorism, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said. |
The new deployment will take place in the coming days. | The new deployment will take place in the coming days. |
The Sahel includes some of the world's poorest countries but has rich natural resources in the form of minerals and gas. | The Sahel includes some of the world's poorest countries but has rich natural resources in the form of minerals and gas. |
France sent troops to Mali in January 2013 after Islamist militants threatened to overrun the capital, Bamako. | France sent troops to Mali in January 2013 after Islamist militants threatened to overrun the capital, Bamako. |
But Mr Le Drian said Islamist groups posed a threat to the entire region. | But Mr Le Drian said Islamist groups posed a threat to the entire region. |
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