France announced that two French soldiers were killed in the African country of Mali when an improvised explosive device struck its armored vehicle.
PARIS – The French presidency announced that two French soldiers were killed on Saturday in Mali when an improvised explosive device hit its armored vehicle, five days after three others died in similar circumstances.
The soldiers were participating in an intelligence mission in the Menaka region of northeastern Mali as part of a larger operation aimed at combating Islamic extremists in the Sahel region of Africa.
A third soldier was injured and is in stable condition, the French military said.
On Monday, three other soldiers were killed in Mali when an improvised explosive device hit his armored vehicle during a military operation in the Hombori area in central Mopti province.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “his great sadness” in a statement released on Saturday night. He reaffirmed France’s determination “in the fight against terrorism” and paid tribute to the “courage” of French soldiers.
France has more than 5,000 soldiers deployed in West Africa to help combat extremist groups as part of Operation Barkhane.
Islamic extremist rebels were expelled from power in northern Mali after a military operation led by France in 2013. The rebels have regrouped in the desert and are now launching frequent attacks against the Malian army and its allies.
These deaths bring the number of French soldiers killed in the Sahel region to 50 since 2013.