The French Defence Ministry has stated that the country has begun to withdraw its troops from Mali where they have been battling militants’ insurgency since January this year.
France said it has officially withdrawn 100 out of the 4,000 troops it sent to Mali in January to fight militants who have taken the country.
It also said more withdrawals should be expected as it intends to withdraw it troops to different assignment elsewhere.
The troops who have been withdrawn belong to the parachute units of the army which is specialized in diving from planes in the air in special operations.
The 100 troops withdrawn from Mali are believed to have been deployed to Cyprus. But it is unclear what mission they will undertake there.
The French-led operation together with African Union troops drove militants groups out of northern cities and towns.
But some militant fighters have retreated to desert hideouts in the vast northern region and have been counter-attacking troops
France hopes to have only 1,000 soldiers in Mali by the end of the year, handing over duties to the African Union troops which currently numbers around 6,300 soldiers in the country.
The European Union said last week that it is sending personnel help train Malian forces on special operation which local reporters say has begun training 2,000 Malian soldiers.
The European Union on Tuesday gave 50m Euros to the regional African Union forces to help then with training and equipment for the smooth running of their operations.
The United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon also suggested that an 11,000-strong UN peace force, made up of African troops, be sent to Mali, once France reduces its presence in the country.
Militant groups took advantage of a coup in March 2012 led by Captain Amadou Sanogo to take control of the north of Mali, including major cities including Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu.
But France intervene in January to curb the insurgency as France say it fears militants can take advantage of the situation to destabilize other West African Nations.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
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