Two French soldiers from Barkhane injured in the Malian Liptako (v2)
(B2) The incident occurred during a combat action, carried out jointly by the French and Nigeriens, in the region of Liptako in Mali, close to Niger
During a reconnaissance mission carried out in the Malo-Nigerian Liptako region ( ", Tuesday (June 15), the military commandos of the Barkhane force (1) and the 114th Nigerien internal security company were " attacked by an important armed group, indicates the staff of the armies in information made available to the press including B2, Wednesday (June 16).
On the territory of Mali
The clash happened " on Malian territory "about a dozen kilometers from the Nigerien border, " in the area of In Araban », which is located between Menaka and Inates. But it was the Nigerien forces that were deployed (under bilateral agreements between the two countries, apparently).
The armed group neutralized
« Seeking to exfiltrate into a wooded area, the terrorist armed group was prosecuted ". Supported by aircraft from the Barkhane force (attack helicopters and fighter planes), the French and Nigerien soldiers " neutralized " the group. About a dozen opposing fighters were killed in this way.
Allied side, 3 wounded (2 French and 1 Nigerian) and 1 killed (Nigerian)
During this combat action, a Nigerien soldier lost his life, a second was injured. Two French commando soldiers were also injured (by bullets). They were " evacuated and cared for by the Gao military hospital ". The staff does not want to say more about their condition. But " their vital prognosis is not engaged ».
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
- The system has been reorganized, the commando group now reports directly to the force commander, and is made up of mountain commandos or paratroopers, with support elements.
Updated with details on the geography of the places and the intervening forces.
