France announces that two French soldiers have died in the African nation of Mali when an improvised explosive device hits their armored vehicle
PARIS – The French presidency announced that two French soldiers were killed in Mali on Saturday when an improvised explosive device hit their armored vehicle, five days after three others were killed in similar circumstances.
The soldiers took part in an intelligence mission to the Menaka region in northeastern Mali, as part of a larger operation aimed at fighting Islamic extremists in the Sahel region of Africa.
A third soldier was injured and is in a stable condition, the French army said.
On Monday, three other soldiers were killed in Mali when an improvised explosive device hit their armored vehicle during a military operation in the Hombori area in central Mopti province of Mali.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “his great sadness” in a statement released late Saturday. He reaffirmed France’s determination “in its fight against terrorism” and paid tribute to the “courage” of French soldiers.
France has more than 5,000 troops deployed in West Africa to help fight extremist groups as part of Operation Barkhane.
Islamic extremist rebels were forced out of power in northern Mali after a French-led military operation in 2013. The rebels regrouped in the desert and now regularly launch attacks on the Malaysian army and its allies.
With these deaths, 50 French soldiers have died in the Sahel region since 2013.