Mali mainly, 2012 coup, drugs & more

[davidbfpo]

Actually a larger contingent (250 men) is going to Mali later this year to join the UN Mission MINUSMA; there is a RAF Chinook detachment, with three helicopters, with a 94-man based in Gao since 2018 - who support the French-led Operation Barkhane.

MINUSMA plans to have a second more active component, which will be spearheaded by the British contingent, who will carry out long-range reconnaissance patrols of up to 30 days deep into jihadist territory and be on standby for rapid deployment anywhere in the country.Citing their commander:

With a manoeuvrable force, we can be more proactive in anticipating attacks, projecting force and deterring and going in where there are confrontations...This will be a more robust, versatile part of the force that will enable us to respond decisively. The British contribution will be the tip of the spear of our adaptation.

Link (behind a pay-wall):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...ne-war-terror/

An earlier story reported a Light Dragoons contingent would perform the long-range patrols, with light armoured cars and presumably 4x4 vehicles. The deployment will be for three years and was originally announced in July 2019. Not everyone is convinced, a Conservative MP who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq commented:

Our soldiers need to know why we are doing something, preferably for how long and what success looks like. And if we don’t have an end date, then we need to be clear about ‘generational missions’ and what that may entail in terms of kit, personal and training, and potential casualties that come from those missions.

Link (ditto):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...ritain-stands/