France has finally made good on its threat to withdraw its forces from the joint military operations in Mali as part of sanctions of Mali’s military stripping its leaders, Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane of their executive powers.
France currently has as many as 5100 soldiers in the region under Operation Barkhane. Although the joint operations have been discontinued until further notice, French forces will continue to operate in Mali according to the Ministry.
French President, Emmanuel Macron had issued a warning earlier that France would pull out its forces from the region after what he described as radical Islamism.