The start of 2021 was supposed to bear witness to the progress of Operation Barkhane, a year after the reinforcement of French military personnel in the Sahel.
The prospect of an imminent downsizing has, on the contrary, galvanized the will of the jihadist groups to strike the French troops.
Two soldiers of the 2nd Hussar Regiment of Haguenau, Sergeant Yvonne Huynh and Brigadier Loïc Risser, were killed on Saturday January 2 in an explosive device attack on their armored vehicle while they were carrying out a reconnaissance mission in the Ménaka region of Mali.
Deep sadness at the news of the deaths in combat of SGT Yvonne HUYNH and BRI Loïc RISSER as part of Operation #Barkhane.
Thoughts moved from all over the land for their families, loved ones as well as for their wounded comrade. # FiersDeNosSoldats 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/PQclXF6Erf
- Chief of Staff of the Army (@CEMAT_FR) January 2, 2021
The Elysee press release states that a third soldier was also injured, but that his life is not in danger.
This is the second fatal attack on French troops in Mali in less than a week.
Last Monday, three French soldiers were killed in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda branch in the Sahel.
The # Hombori IED and today ~ 11h the IED 2km from # Ménaka not far from the #Barkhane base shared with MINUSMA & FAMa in which the #Takuba force was to take quarter, #JNIM #AQMI demonstrates a capacity significant tactics & political calculation https://t.co/SnL3k7TVHL
- Wassim Nasr (@SimNasr) January 2, 2021
Their death brings to 49 the number of French soldiers killed in the Sahel since 2013 in the Serval and then Barkhane operations.
France hired 600 additional troops in the Sahel in 2020, bringing its strength to around 5,100.
It is currently reviewing the evolution of this commitment.
With AFP
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