A number of armed groups are active in the Sahel region, which stretches south of the Sahara from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. Some have pledged allegiance to the terrorist groups Islamic State (IS) or al-Qaeda. In addition to the anti-terrorist missions, the EU training mission EUTM and the UN stabilization mission Minusma are also underway in Mali. According to French information, a total of around 25,000 soldiers are deployed in the area.
France’s decision has possible consequences for the continuation of the two German military operations. The current mandates for participation in EUTM and Minusma are valid until May 31, 2022. The German government itself has not yet committed itself to continuing the military engagement.