Macron: France to withdraw more than 2,000 troops from Sahel
Emmanuel Macron said Friday that France would start closing its bases in northern Mali before the end of the year, part of a drawdown of French troops fighting Islamist extremists in the Sahel. "The shutdowns of these sections will start in the second half of 2021 and be completed by early 2022," Macron said during a press conference.
- World
- AP
- Published Date: 05:23 | 09 July 2021
- Modified Date: 05:23 | 09 July 2021
French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday his country will withdraw more than 2,000 troops from an anti-extremism force in Africa's Sahel region starting in the coming months.
Macron announced last month a future reduction of France's military presence, arguing that the current operation is no longer adapted to the need. It had also met opposition from some Africans.
After discussions with African leaders in the region Friday, Macron announced that France would reduce its force to 2,500 to 3,000 troops over the long term and focus on special regional forces instead. France currently has 5,000 troops in the region.
- US blacklists 14 more Chinese firms over rights abuses
- Three Italian Euro 2020 journalists positive for coronavirus
- World must invest more to avoid Covid repeat: G20 panel
- Biden tells Putin to crack down on cybercrime, warns of retaliation
- South Africa’s former president loses bid to overturn arrest