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2018-04-06 Africa North

French, Malian troops kill 30 insurgents in Mali gun battle

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Posted by trailing wife 2018-04-06 01:48|| || Front Page|| [9 views ] Top
File under: Islamic State in the Greater Sahara

#1 [Long Wars] French forces confirm joint operation against Islamic State-loyal militants

Earlier today the French military confirmed its forces took part in a large-scale joint operation on April 1 against Islamic State-loyal militants in northern Mali, close to the border with Niger.

According to RFI, a French military spokesman said that “French commandos and Malian forces began a ‘reconnaissance and control operation’ in the Akabar region” on March 28, “working in liaison with the Nigerien army and a local self-defense group.” The combined forces came into contact with militants from the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) on April 1. The following gunfight left at least 30 jihadists dead, according to the French spokesman.

The incident was first reported by the Tuareg alliance of the Imghad and Allies Self Defense Movement (GATIA) and the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA), both encompassing the aforementioned “local self-defense group.” In its statement, the alliance confirmed two separate clashes with ISGS militants and that at least 20 jihadists were killed.

This is not the first time French special forces have conducted a joint operation with the Tuareg groups against ISGS militants. On Feb. 22, the groups first clashed with the jihadists in a renewed offensive. RFI later reported that French troops coordinated with the Tuaregs in the battle.

Posted by Besoeker 2018-04-06 02:05|| 2018-04-06 02:05|| Front Page Top

#2 The French have quietly taken on the responsibility to fight jihadis in several of their former colonies. How effective they are, I have no idea, because all I see is occasional reports like these.

Posted by trailing wife 2018-04-06 14:03|| 2018-04-06 14:03|| Front Page Top

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