Mali: French Soldiers Killed in Helicopter Crash

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has confirmed that thirteen French soldiers were killed yesterday evening when two helicopters collided in Mali

The incident occurred during a night operation against jihadist insurgents in the north of the country.

The Élysée Palace, the home of the French President, released a statement announcing, “with profound sadness the death of thirteen French soldiers in Mali”, and conveyed the President’s “greatest respect for the memory of these soldiers, six officers, six non-commissioned officers, and one master corporal”.

In a further Tweet, the President said “These 13 heroes had only one goal: to protect us.  I bow to the pain of their loved ones and their comrades”.

Thousands of French troops were deployed to Mali in 2013 in order to combat a surge in violence from Islamic extremists across the Sahel region.

A total of 38 French soldiers have been killed since the country deployed to Mali, the last of which was Brigadier Ronan Pointeau, who died after an explosive device detonated near to his vehicle earlier this month.

Monday’s incident is thought to be the single worst loss of life since France first intervened in the country.