The French military confirmed it had launched its first ever armed drone strike this week, claiming to have killed at least 7 militants in Mali.
French president Emmanuel Macron said operations in the Mopti region “neutralised” at least 33 fighters, with the French military later adding that a follow-up drone strike killed a further 7 fighters.
“This is the first operational strike by an armed drone,” confirmed the French in a statement. It went on to claim that French commandos had come under attack by “a group of terrorists on motorbikes” and had opened fire with support from a. Reaper drone.
At least 4,500 French troops are in the country, where they are combatting jihadist groups. Last month, 13 French soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in northern Mali, bringing the total dead to 41 since 2013.
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