Denmark intends to send a hundred soldiers to Mali in early 2022 to reinforce the European special forces unit "
Takuba
" led by France, the Danish government announced Thursday, April 8, while Paris is trying to obtain reinforcements.
To read also: The Europeans of Takuba called in reinforcement of "Barkhane"
Supposed to train the Malian army in combat against jihadists, the "
task force
" currently includes, in addition to France, special forces from three EU countries (Estonia, Sweden, the Czech Republic), active in the so-called "zone".
three borders
”, between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
“
The terrorist threat from ISIS and Al Qaeda remains significant.
They want to create an oasis in West Africa for their extremist regime of violence and death (...) This must not happen,
”the Danish Foreign and Defense Ministers said in a joint statement.
"
This is why Denmark is now strengthening its participation with special forces
," said Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod.
Special forces and surgeons
A hundred men, who in addition to special forces will include surgeons and staff officers, should be deployed "
early 2022
", subject to the green light of the Danish Parliament, specify the ministries.
Copenhagen also plans to send a military transport plane that will contribute to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (Minusma), piloted by the UN.
Seasoned by its participation in most Western military interventions for 20 years (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya ...), the Danish army had already sent reinforcements to Mali in recent years, some within the Minusma and for d 'others within the French Barkhane force, including helicopters.
A group of European special forces intended to accompany Malian soldiers in combat against jihadists, the Takuba task force was launched in March 2020, but contributions from European countries have so far remained limited.
In addition to a few dozen Estonians and Czechs, the force obtained reinforcements in early February from around 150 Swedish soldiers.