French Army Says It Has Killed Two ‘Terrorists’ in Mali

A French armoured vehicle drives by the Mount Hombori during the start of the French Barkhane Force operation in Mali's Gourma region, on March 27, 2019. (Daphné Benoit/AFP via Getty Images)

PARIS—The French army has killed two members of the EIGS “terrorist” group, which France says has links to the ISIS terrorist group, in Mali, French armed forces minister Florence Parly said on Thursday.

Parly’s statement said the operation had taken place overnight in the Menaka region in co-ordination with the U.S. army.

“This latest operation highlights our determination to continue the fight against armed terrorist organizations, working alongside our partners in the Sahel, and in co-ordination with our European and American allies,” the statement said.

France is in the process of re-shaping its military presence in West Africa’s Sahel region, which includes Mali, where France has been on the front line in the fight against Islamist militia groups.

Mali has been thrown into political turmoil since a military junta toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020.