France to Deploys 3000 Troops in Sahel Region

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Ris may 08 (qna) - french defence minister jean-yves le drian said on thursday that his country is to deploy 3000 troops in the sahel region of africa in addition to 1000 already slated for this duty.

the main task of them will be fighting terrorist armed groups in north mali northern niger and chad.



in an interview with "bfm tv" on the commemoration of the end of wwii the defence minister said that france was "taking seriously" threats against its nationals and interests by a group claiming links with al-qaida.



the threats followed french military intervention last year to contain and expel islamist extremist groups who were threatening to overrun mali. france deployed around 4000 troops in that country but these are now being replaced by an african-dominated united nations force.



france however says that it will leave 1000 troops in northern mali near gao to be able to independently intervene to halt terrorist activity and other illegal operations in the region. because of developments paris is deploying more forces which will operate outside of the un command. (qna)