Belgians ready for succession in Mali

(B2) The Battalion of Chasseurs à Cheval will ensure from September and for 4 months, the "force protection" of the training mission of the Malian army (EUTM Mali). This ISTAR battalion (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target acquisition and Reconnaissance), completed its training at Bourg-Léopold at the end of July by simulating situations similar to those it could encounter when protecting the Koulikoro training camp or escorts to or from the Malian capital of Bamako, as Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Pierard, commander of the ISTAR battalion explained: "roadblock during a patrol, Malian civilians trying to besiege the camp or mysterious vehicle following a convoy of the battalion".

NB: the situation has become tense in the Malian capital, which had been spared so far by the war, after various attacks in Bamako this year, which caused several victims including an EU agent.