New Delhi: The French government on November 3 said that its armed forces had killed more than 50 Al Qaeda-linked terrorist in air strike in Mali.
On the strike – The French Defence Minister Florence Parly said that “On October 30 in Mali, the Barkhane force conducted an operation that neutralised more than 50 jihadists and confiscated arms and material,” She said this after meeting with members of the transitional government in Mali.
“In the air strike – Around 30 motorcycles were destroyed.” She said while referring to Operation Barkhane.
“The Jihadists moved under trees to escape surveillance. The French forces sent in two Mirage jets and a drone to launch missiles. This led to the neutralisation of the Jihadists,” Parly added.
In detail she said that the action marked a significant blow to the Ansarul Islam Group which was linked to the Al-Qaeda. Mali has been struggling to contain the Jihadist insurgency, which is brutal in nature. The insurgency first emerged in 2012 in the north of the country.
Military spokesperson of the French Army – Colonel Fredric Barby said that in the operation four terrorists were captured. Explosives and a suicide vest had been found.
Barby also states another operation and said this time targeting the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is also on. This operation is being carried out with 3000 soldiers, he said.
_Vinayak.Barot
