Wüstenschiff

France is to set up a new military operation in the Sahel region of northern Africa in an effort to stop the emergence of jihadist groups. About 3,000 French soldiers will be deployed, along with troops from Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad. On Monday France ended its military deployment in Mali, set up 18 months ago after an Islamist insurgency there. French forces helped the Malian government recapture the north from al-Qaeda-linked militants last year. The new long-term force, named Operation Barkhane, will be based in the Chadian capital Ndjamena, but will have a mandate to operate across borders. It will target Islamist extremists in Mali, Chad and Niger. The French troops will be backed by six fighter jets, 20 helicopters and three drones.