Thirteen French soldiers have been killed in helicopter crash during operations against jihadists in Mali.

The two helicopters collided on Monday evening according to the French Government. The troops were involved with Operation Barkhane.

Operation Barkhane is an ongoing anti-insurgent operation in Africa’s Sahel region, which commenced in August 2014. It consists of a 3,000-strong French force, headquartered in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad.

French President Macron said in the above tweet “These 13 heroes had only one goal: to protect us, I bow to the pain of their loved ones and comrades.”

According to French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the main objective of Operation Barkhane is counter-terrorism, “The aim is to prevent what I call the highway of all forms of traffics to become a place of permanent passage, where jihadist groups between Libya and the Atlantic Ocean can rebuild themselves, which would lead to serious consequences for our security”.

The operation involves five countries, and former French colonies, that span the Sahel: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Julian
Julian
4 years ago

Very sad news. Condolences to the families.

On possible extra detail, this from the BBC article (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50557511) …

“The exact circumstances of Monday’s incident are unclear but defence ministry sources told the AFP news agency a Tiger attack helicopter collided with a Cougar military transport.”

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
4 years ago
Reply to  Julian

Very, very sad news indeed & until the circumstances are clear it’s difficult to try and be pragmatic about it, but frankly this shouldn’t be happening. Poor sods.

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
4 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

On a separate note, Macron makes my skin crawl.

HF
4 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

Very true. I thought it was one aircraft but for two to collide is bad. RIP.

Cam
Cam
4 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

Humans will always make mistakes as long as there are humans. But computer systems these days and in future should make it near impossible to crash jets and choppers thankfully.

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam

My point exactly! The anti-collision software in modern aircraft is mind boggling – Like I said, difficult to try and be pragmatic when it’s still so raw. Throw in the ‘fog of war’ and yeah mistakes do happen. Mid air collisions though! Desperately bad news/luck.

Rudeboy
Rudeboy
4 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

Think loss of visibility in the area they’re working in…dreadful operating conditions, about as bad as it gets.

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
4 years ago
Reply to  Rudeboy

Aye, I’ve witnessed a few brown outs myself – Absolutely miserable conditions. Pretty unnerving too actually when you can’t see 10ft past your nose.

Joe16
4 years ago
Reply to  Julian

Yes, really sorry to hear about this. Thanks for the extra detail, I’d been wondering what types were involved. One assumes the Tiger was pulling overwatch for a take-off, and the Cougar came up through the dust and hit it?

Cam
Cam
4 years ago

That’s sad, 13 is allot, ?? horrible for French moral!. I Remember Operation Telic when 10 British personnel died in that single Hercules crash it was very sad for the nation, and one was a family friend!. And 44 Military personnel died on Op Teric from accidents, illness and suicide and hard to believe Friendly fire!. Thats crazy, army recruitment doesn’t tell you that!, 44 in 8 years is allot I think for non enemy contact deaths it’s almost a quarter of all deaths in Iraq from 2003 to 2011.

Helions
Helions
4 years ago

Tough loss especially with so many at one time. My sympathies to the families and comrades.

Rest In Peace…

ChariotRider
ChariotRider
4 years ago

Awful news. Deepest and heartfelt condolences to families, friends and comrades.

France has taken some awful hits in recent years. It is moments like these that we put our differences aside and consider what we have in common. Differences we have, but friends we remain. Stay strong ‘mes amis’.

HF
4 years ago
Reply to  ChariotRider

Well said

Julian
Julian
4 years ago
Reply to  ChariotRider

Yup. Nicely done ChariotRider.

DaveyB
DaveyB
4 years ago

From my sources, I can state that no UK personnel that are operating in the region were involved. There have been too many of these types of accidents. The Lynx and Puma in Afghan being our most recent. It’s a very sad occasion an my condolences go to families and comrades.

David Barry
David Barry
4 years ago

RIP, duty done.

Gubby
Gubby
4 years ago

The Times reports today that the RAF have sent a Chinook for recovery aid.

TopBoy
TopBoy
4 years ago

RIP