Jean Castex paid tribute on Thursday December 31 to the three French soldiers who died Monday in Mali in the explosion of an artisanal mine, expressing to the troops of the Barkhane force in N'Djaména his "
deep sadness
" but also the "
determination
" of France in the face of terrorism.
To read also: After the death of three soldiers in Mali, "Barkhane" at the dawn of a new turn
"
By rereading in the plane which took me to you the whole of the military file (...) but also
the biographies of your three brothers in arms
, I felt at the same time the luck that our country has to be able to count on soldiers like you, but also a deep sadness,
”declared the Prime Minister during a ceremony at the Kosseï camp, where the command of Barkhane is based.
“
But this sadness should never bring us down, on the contrary.
Our determination must only be stronger
”, added Mr. Castex, insisting on the“
intact will
”to fight Islamist terrorism in the Sahel.
On Monday, three soldiers were killed in the area of the “
three borders
” (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso), bringing to 47 the number of men who have died in the Sahel since 2013 in operations Serval then Barkhane.
Brigadier-chief Tanerii Mauri and hunters 1st class Quentin Pauchet and Dorian Issakhanian, who belonged to the 1st regiment of hunters from Thierville-sur-Meuse (Meuse), near Verdun, were carrying out an escort mission between Hombori and Gossi, in an area bordering Niger and Burkina Faso.
Read also: Three French soldiers were killed in operation in Mali
"
A national tribute will be paid to these three brave soldiers next week in Verdun
", indicated Mr. Castex, saluting their "
military heroism
".
The Prime Minister, who awakens in the company of the Minister of the Armies Florence Parly Thursday evening with the troops stationed in N'Djaména, will go Friday to meet the contingents of Faya-Largeau (northern Chad) and Abéché (east).