France will replace its military mission in Mali with an expanded counterterrorism operation across the Sahel region, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on 13 July. This move will give France a substantial military presence across North Africa.
France currently has about 1,700 troops stationed in Mali as part of Operation “Serval.” This operation will be replaced with Operation “Barkhan,” which station 3,000 soldiers in Mali, Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso, supported by six fighter jets, three drones and 20 helicopters. 1,000 soldiers will remain in Mali.
The 3,000 count does not include 2,000 French soldiers in the Central African Republic, nor does it include France’s 450-strong presence in the Ivory Coast, which will be increased to 800 starting next year.
The deployment stands in marked contrast to the mood six or seven years ago — when François Hollande’s predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, felt able to plan for a significant reduction in the French military presence in West Africa. Northern Africa is turning into a battleground with enormously important implications. It is a battleground France is taking very seriously. Iran has designs on being the strongest power throughout the region, and is extending its reach throughout North Africa. But Iran is not the only one interested in Africa. Germany is making strong inroads as well. Both of these powers are racing to get as much control of North Africa as they can.
Iranian-backed radical Islamists have made huge gains in the region, but Europe is pushing back. While France’s latest deployment will not be enough to defeat the Islamists, it will make it much harder for them to expand. The fact that even in a time of austerity France is prepared to undertake an expensive military mission shows the importance it gives to the region.
France currently has about 1,700 troops stationed in Mali as part of Operation “Serval.” This operation will be replaced with Operation “Barkhan,” which station 3,000 soldiers in Mali, Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso, supported by six fighter jets, three drones and 20 helicopters. 1,000 soldiers will remain in Mali.
The 3,000 count does not include 2,000 French soldiers in the Central African Republic, nor does it include France’s 450-strong presence in the Ivory Coast, which will be increased to 800 starting next year.
The deployment stands in marked contrast to the mood six or seven years ago — when François Hollande’s predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, felt able to plan for a significant reduction in the French military presence in West Africa. Northern Africa is turning into a battleground with enormously important implications. It is a battleground France is taking very seriously. Iran has designs on being the strongest power throughout the region, and is extending its reach throughout North Africa. But Iran is not the only one interested in Africa. Germany is making strong inroads as well. Both of these powers are racing to get as much control of North Africa as they can.
Iranian-backed radical Islamists have made huge gains in the region, but Europe is pushing back. While France’s latest deployment will not be enough to defeat the Islamists, it will make it much harder for them to expand. The fact that even in a time of austerity France is prepared to undertake an expensive military mission shows the importance it gives to the region.