Two French soldiers have died in an operation in Mali and a third was injured when an improvised explosive device hit their armoured vehicle, the French presidency says. The injured soldier's life was not in danger, the presidency said. Less than a week ago three French soldiers were killed in Mali also by an improvised explosive device during a mission in the southern region of Hombori, near the border with Burkina Faso. The soldiers in both cases were part of France's Barkhane military operations in Mali against Islamic fighters. France has a huge military presence across West Africa; around 5100 soldiers make up its anti-insurgent operation Barkhane in the restive Sahel region.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 02, 2021 23:26 UTC