French forces killed 33 terrorists in Mali, announces Emmanuel Macron

Abidjan: French President Emmanuel Macron informed that the French military eliminated 33 terrorists in its action in Mali, West Africa. President Macron announced while on a visit to Ivory Coast, a country to the south of Mali. Macron also said that the French military deployed in the African countries was very serious about counter-terrorism campaigns.

More than 4,500 French soldiers are deployed in the western African countries of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad. The French military has undertaken the Operation Barkhane, against the ISIS and terrorist organisations affiliated to Al Qaeda, asserting the campaign was attaining success. On Saturday, Macron elaborated on the action in the Mopti region of Mali, while on a visit to Ivory Coast.

The French troops killed 33 terrorists in operation undertaken in the forests of Mopti, located in central Mali. President Macron stated that the military also rescued three people the terrorists had abducted. Also, the French army had used drones and helicopters for the operation as also executed joint ground action along with the Mali military. The move is significant, considering the attacks on the French and African forces.

Last year, the French military had claimed to have eliminated Amadou Koufa, a top terrorist leader but the terrorists rubbished the claims by publishing audio of the leader in the next few hours. Questions were therefore raised as to whether French forces were taking action against Amadou Koufa in the area once again. However, the French army has not commented on the matter.

Meanwhile, President Macron, who is currently on a visit to Ivory Coast and Niger, admitted that the French colonial policies were wrong. At the same time, Macron called for new cooperation to be developed between France and the African countries.