Helicopter crash killing 13 French troops in Mali
Thirteen French soldiers were killed when two helicopters collided during an operation against jihadists in Mali, the French president’s office said.
Monday’s accident is the worst loss of life for the French military in decades.
READ ALSO: Lagos lawyer to sue IGP for contempt of court by police
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “deep sadness” over the incident. An investigation has begun.
In 2013, France deployed thousands of troops to Mali after Islamist militants seized huge parts of the north.
Mali’s army has since recaptured the territory but insecurity there continues and the violence has spread to other countries in the region.
France now has 4,500 troops deployed to support the forces of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad against Islamist militants.
