Chad President Idriss Deby Itno (twitter.com/midrissdebyitno)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Chad plans to deploy 1,200 troops to battle armed extremists in the troubled African Sahel region. Chad President Idriss Deby Itno made the announcement this week during the G5 Sahel Group Summit meeting. The G5 heads of state from Chad, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania met with European and other international allies to discuss progress on combating the insurgents linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State who are threatening the stability of the region. There has been an unprecedented surge in terrorists attacks in the Sahel despite the presence of thousands of UN peacekeeping troops and French soldiers. About 4,000 people have been killed in terror attacks in 2019 alone, compared with 770 three years earlier. Hundreds of UN peacekeepers have been killed. President Idriss said the Chadian troops are expected to be deployed in the tri-border region of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The troop will bolster France’s 5,100 soldiers deployed in Mali as part of Operation Barkhane.
EN DIRECT | Conférence de presse à l’issue du Sommet du G5 Sahel.https://t.co/oI8pyMDVTL
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 16, 2021
Le déploiement du bataillon tchadien dans les prochains jours dans la région des trois frontières au Sahel permettra de consolider l'ascendant pris sur les groupes terroristes. Je remercie le Président Déby pour son engagement.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 16, 2021
Nos efforts et ressources mutualisés, nous permettrons de coordonner nos actions pour cette lutte contre le terrorisme. #G5Sahel pic.twitter.com/8sGbVj7dvk
— Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno (@MIdrissDebyItno) February 15, 2021
La Coalition pour le Sahel qui en est issue apparait sans nul doute comme un instrument clé de notre partenariat, qui nous permettra de mutualiser efficacement nos efforts, mobiliser nos ressources et coordonner nos initiatives pour cette lutte.
— Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno (@MIdrissDebyItno) February 15, 2021
9 Malian Soldiers Killed in Terrorist Attack in Mopti
Credit: MINUSMA) UN MINUSMA peacekeepers on patrol in northern Mali.
On February , at least 9 Malian soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in the central Mopti region of the west African nation, Mali’s military reported. This was the latest deadly jihadist attack in Mali this year. On Jan. 24, 2021, at least 6 Malian soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in the central Mopti region . Two FAMa army posts in Boulkessi and Mondoro were attacked resulting in the 6 casualties and another 18 wounded.
Le Tchad est très fier d’organiser la 7ème conférence des Chefs d’Etat du G5 Sahel. Mon infinie gratitude à tous nos hôtes. pic.twitter.com/8Tic9FDABA
— Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno (@MIdrissDebyItno) February 15, 2021
