Copenhagen, Feb 28, 2019 – Denmark announced Thursday that it plans to send materiel and some troops to Africa to help support the French operation combatting jihadist groups in the Sahel. The government’s plans, which must be approved by parliament, include sending two transport helicopters and 70 soldiers for a one-year period to the region starting at the end of this year. “It is crucial for the security of Denmark and Europe that we contribute to the stability in the region. The terrorist groups in the Sahel represent a threat to our security,” said Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen in a statement. Since 2014 France has maintained the so-called Barkhane force of 4,500 troops to fight the jihadist groups in Mali and the Sahel region.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 28, 2019 16:30 UTC