BRITISH troops are withdrawing from Mali after the country’s ruling junta made a pact with Russian mercenaries.

Some 300 troops had battled jihadis as part of the world’s most dangerous peacekeeping mission.

1

Around 300 troops have battled jihadis for three years as an iconic show of British support for UN peacekeepingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

They were due to deploy for three years as an iconic show of British support for UN peacekeeping, but will now leave a year early.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said it was wrong to risk soldiers’ lives when the Mali government “is not willing to work with us”.

He added: “The work of our troops has been outstanding, and they should be proud of what they’ve achieved there.”

He blasted Mali’s ruling elite, which seized power in a coup, for cutting a deal with Moscow’s ruthless Wagner group.

Brit Army Rangers prepare for Russians with desert drills in high-tech war
Secret army of 1,000 Russian agents is spying in the UK, top spooks believe

Led by Yevgeny Prigozhin — known as “Putin’s chef” — it is also active in Ukraine, Libya and the Central African Republic.

Mr Heappey said: “The Malian government’s partnership with the Wagner group is counter-productive to lasting stability and security in their region.”

He signalled that British troops would now deploy to neighbouring West African nations.

Jerome Starkey

Source link

You May Also Like

Transformer explosion in India causes 15 deaths by electrocution

Fifteen people including six policer officers died Wednesday by electrocution after a…

Afghanistan: Woman protests Taliban’s education ban with single word of God

“Adela” staged an extraordinary solo protest in front of Kabul University while…

Makers of ‘Elemental’ explore family, tolerance and movement

Comment on this storyComment MEXICO CITY — “Elemental’’ director Peter Sohn says…

Activist in Niger with ties to junta tells the AP region needs to ‘accept new regime’ or risk war

NIAMEY, Niger — The only way to avoid conflict between mutinous soldiers…