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Opération “Barkhane”

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Good article.
I suppose that in some countries the populace might find tattoos offensive. However the minister is being rather picky. He should understand that tattoos are to be found in almost all militaries.
It's no big deal now... Lots of women walking around with tattoos. Some with sleeves. I think it's more important to think about what you are going to get for a tattoo. Be smart don't tattoo your neck, head or hands.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Mali & France square off after French anti-terrorist troops accused of unruly behavior

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A Malian soldier (far right) filters the people coming for AMG Assistance Médicale gratuite. - No need for translation.
Check out the dude's tatts on the near left (perhaps he's far right) :love:

A Malian envoy to France has accused French troops that form part of a counterterrorism force in the country of rowdy behavior in its capital city. Paris has dismissed the allegations as “not only false, but unacceptable.”
The rebuff was issued by Defense Minister Florence Parly's office on Thursday. Branding remarks by Malian Ambassador Toumani Djime Diallo as “indecent” it argued that the French troops are risking their lives to protect the West African country from terrorism.
“Rather than channeling and spreading false accusations, we expect the ambassador of Mali to devote all his energy to… achieving success for everyone”, the statement read, as cited by AFP.
The allegations concerning bad behavior by French troops – those attached to its fabled Foreign Legion in particular – were made by Diallo on Wednesday. Speaking during a public hearing alongside his colleagues from Niger, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso, the diplomat claimed that some soldiers of the elite military force's parachutist regiment had gone wild, causing trouble in the country's capital, Bamako.
At times you see them in the red-light districts of Bamako, their bodies completely covered in tattoos, behaving in a way that does not correspond to the [French] army we know. It makes people afraid, it makes tongues wag.
France maintains a large force in the Sahel region, the majority of which is stationed in Mali. The total number of troops currently stands at 5,100 after Paris decided to deploy 600 additional servicemen early in February. The French contingent is the backbone of Operation Barkhane – a multinational force designed to counter various jihadist groups active in the Sahel region.

France intervened in Mali – its former colony – back in 2013 in a bid to push back a jihadist insurgency that was active in the north of the country. The results of Paris' efforts, however, have been quite modest at best – over the years, the security situation in the region has not improved but actually deteriorated further.

The militants, linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), have gained a foothold in the central parts of Mali and spread into the neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Niger. Sectarian and ethnic violence persists in the region, while the jihadists frequently launch attacks resulting in massive civilian and military casualties.

The deteriorating security situation – amid a growing French military presence – has also fueled dissent among the citizens of the Sahel countries, Mali and Niger in particular. Mass protests saw demonstrators burning French flags and calling on Paris to leave altogether, arguing that a French military presence only foments violence on the ground in its former African colonies.

Cheers Ossie O.
And cheers Le petit Caporal for correcting me on which thread I should have posted this.
 

Pink Floyd

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This statement was released yesterday by the president of the Legion Veterans Association Rémy Gausserès (ancien Chef de Corps du 2e REP). It basically says, after consultation with the General Commanding the Legion (COMLE), that the statement by the Malian ambassador were lies to smear the Legion fighting in the Sahel region for political reasons. By the way, the ambassador who made the allegations has been recalled to Mali.
 

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mark wake

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This statement was released yesterday by the president of the Legion Veterans Association Rémy Gausserès (ancien Chef de Corps du 2e REP). It basically says, after consultation with the General Commanding the Legion (COMLE), that the statement by the Malian ambassador were lies to smear the Legion fighting in the Sahel region for political reasons. By the way, the ambassador who made the allegations has been recalled to Mali.
Macron needs to get a grip on the diplomatic corps and let the army do its job! strategic interests aside the costs in lives and treasury in the long run will decide Mali’s fate. to smear the legion because of a few tattoos is infantile and pathetic! Never kick the mule that is willing to die for you!
 

Pink Floyd

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Macron needs to get a grip on the diplomatic corps and let the army do its job! strategic interests aside the costs in lives and treasury in the long run will decide Mali’s fate. to smear the legion because of a few tattoos is infantile and pathetic! Never kick the mule that is willing to die for you!
Exactly, let the Legion do their work. Macron knows he needs to deliver a quick, decisive victory against the jihadists. It seems no other European countries are willing to commit front line combat troops at this time. The Legion has 1,500 personnel in the Sahel. There are 3 attack groups...Altor 2REP, Dragon 2REI, Centurion 1REC. No doubt the Legion has been told to get out in the field and take the fight aggressively to the enemy with a middle of the year time frame...
 

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mark wake

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Exactly, let the Legion do their work. Macron knows if he doesn’t deliver a decisive victory against the jihadists, then the whole operation is doomed to failure in very quick time. It seems no other European countries are willing to commit front line combat troops. The Legion has 1,500 personnel in the Sahel. There are 3 attack groups...Altor 2REP, Dragon 2REI, Centurion 1REC. No doubt the Legion has been told to get out in the field and take the fight aggressively to the enemy with a middle of the year time frame...
Aye. All good units of the Legion. Let’s not forget French special forces and supporting aviation units. All good lads. Another déjà vu en Afrique!
 

Le petit caporal

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A joint venture with the Yankees... 250 approx
Royal Marines and some others (?). Already in Senegal giving training (re: 2 R.E.I. sending 100 so.. legionnaires to Senegal.
Probably to give a helping hand, imo
The conference at Pau was worthwhile.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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A joint venture with the Yankees... 250 approx
Royal Marines and some others (?). Already in Senegal giving training (re: 2 R.E.I. sending 100 so.. legionnaires to Senegal.
Probably to give a helping hand, imo
The conference at Pau was worthwhile.
 
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