Islamist fighters in the Sahel first emerged in northern Mali in 2012, during a rebellion by ethnic Touareg separatists that was later overtaken by the jihadists. Heavy losses have also been inflicted on United Nations peacekeepers and French troops in Sahel over the past several months. France, which has 5,100 troops deployed across the Sahel, also lost five soldiers to roadside bombs in since December. Deadly border zone Much of the recent violence has been centred in the “three-border zone” linking Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The French government — which is mulling a troop drawdown in the Sahel — argues that it has significantly weakened jihadist groups in the Sahel.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 19, 2021 00:33 UTC