On patrol with French Operation Barkhane in Timbuktu

After the #Serval intervention (4,500 troops) in #Mali in 2013, France has broadened its presence across the Sahel (3,000 troops across 5 countries). Operation #Barkhane in Mali is centred on small, skilled 'liaison detachments' (DLAO) tasked with working alongside #Minusma and the Malian army, Fama. #This report was broadcast on #BBC Focus on #Africa on 16 December 2014 #DLAO #duvalsmith #timbuktu