MALI, 29 December 2020, (TON): Three French soldiers were killed when their armoured vehicle hit an IED in the Hombori area of Mali’s central Mopti province. The soldiers were deployed in Mali to carryout operations against armed groups in Africa”s Sahel region.

French defence minister Florence Parly said the soldiers were working “in an area where terrorist groups are attacking civilians and threatening the regional stability”.

French soldiers are deployed in Mali since France intervention in January 2013 to expel armed group which overrun parts of the West African country. The total number of the French soldier killed so far has risen to 47.

The locals of Mali are resisting French military intervention since launching of French Operation Barkhane.

No group has claimed responsibility for planting the IED, however, the locals claim that it is the handiwork of foreign agencies to remain employed on the United Nations duties and compel foreign forces to remain deployed in the area of northern and central Mali to allow minority communities flourish.