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.
See more from The Guardian here.
We need your support. Every contribution counts.
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
Related Articles
Most-Read Articles
A former Sri Lankan military officer has been arrested after he reportedly raped a…
US President Donald Trump has announced 'reciprocal' tariffs on countries worldwide,…
Gary Anandasangaree has been appointed as Canada’s Minister of Justice, in a historic…
An Eelam Tamil dance group who won first place at the World of Dance Switzerland…
The United Kingdom has announced sanctions against four individuals implicated in “…