Three other French soldiers died just five days earlier in similar circumstances. French troops have been present in Mali since 2013 when they intervened to force Islamic extremist rebels from power. “French troops could not stay forever ... so many and (with) such mixed results. A top official at the French presidency said the death of French soldiers will not in itself be the basis for a strategy change. The French military operation enjoys broad support at home.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 07, 2021 15:33 UTC