France, European Allies, and Canada Announce Joint Withdrawal of Troops From Mali - Sputnik International

(Sputnik) - France, its allies in the European Takuba Task Force, and Canada have decided to initiate a coordinated withdrawal of troops from Mali, the Elysee Palace said on Thursday.

"Due to numerous obstacles on the part of Mali's transitional government, Canada and the European states participating in the operation Barkhane and as part of the Takuba Task Force believe that the political, operational, and legal conditions are no longer being met for the effective fulfilment of their military obligations to fight terrorism in Mali, and therefore decided to initiate a coordinated withdrawal from the Malian territory of their relevant military resources intended for these operations", the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

French forces have been engaged in Mali since 2013 when they responded to requests for help in fighting Tuareg militants in the northern part of the country, who have seized considerable territories.