British soldiers from the Queen’s Dragoon Guards have killed two armed terrorists in Mali after coming under attack whilst on patrol.
On 20th October, the UK Task Group in Mali were engaged by armed terrorist fighters while on patrol. They returned fire and killed two members of a Terrorist Armed Group.
This is the first time UK troops have come under fire in Mali, and it has been confirmed that there were no UK or UN force casualties.
Violent extremists in Mali, believed to include the Islamic State of the Greater Sahel (ISGS), are causing severe instability and hindering development in Mali and across the Sahel.
The Sahel is one of Africa’s poorest and most fragile regions, with high levels of violence and poverty.
UK troops are deployed on Operation MAKARA 3 to stabilise population areas around Menaka and deter or disrupt terrorist groups while protecting and reassuring the local population.
Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said:
“This is an important reminder that as we broaden the focus of Defence to State based threats in new domains like cyber and space, we still rely on our Armed Forces to apply lethal forces in close contact with our enemies.
“No matter how much technology we invest in, it all comes to naught without the bravery and determination of our Armed Forces.”
Following a search of the area, the British troops found a cache of weapons, including an AK47, a machine gun, 100 rounds of ammunition and a radio.
This operation highlights how the UK Armed Forces are stepping up their contribution to the UN’s peacekeeping efforts, particularly toward protecting civilians by disrupting dangerous terrorist groups.
A UN Spokesperson said:
“UN peacekeepers from the British contingent of MINUSMA (LRRG) travelling from Gao to Ménaka on a security patrol repelled an attack by two armed individuals.
“The UN peacekeepers vigorously retaliated, neutralising the two individuals.”
CLICK HERE to check out our most popular videos and social media groups and to join our FREE newsletter.
Recommended video:
Before you go...
We need your help. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories & videos which are free from the negative bias which is often directed at the emergency services & NHS by some sections of the mainstream media.
One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' back in 2018 was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services & NHS which seemed only ever to highlight negative aspects of the job.
We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!
As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of you, our readers.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
