British troops have arrived in Mali as the French-led war in the West African country rages on, the Ministry of Defense in London has announced.
Forty British soldiers, which are part of a team of 500 troops from European countries, will help develop the Malian Army’s infantry and artillery skills, the ministry said on Wednesday, AFP reported.
It added that British service members will not join French troops in fighting against fighters, who control northern Mali.
“Through this mission we will support the Malian government to counter the violent insurgency that has not only disrupted their country, but which also poses a clear threat to our national interests here in the UK,” Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said.
“British support to the mission in Mali — including assistance with training, logistics and surveillance — highlights the impressive flexibility of our armed forces. British troops will not deploy in a combat role.”
The French-led war in Mali has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in northern areas of the country and has displaced thousands of people, who now live in deplorable conditions.
The people of northern Mali say the French war and the ruling junta are blocking the flow of humanitarian assistance to the war-affected areas.
The northern Malians say the blockade of the area by French and Malian troops has undermined the activities of healthcare workers in several refugee camps. Most of the camps have dire shortages of necessities such as food and medicine.
On January 11, France launched a war in Mali under the pretext of halting the advance of fighters who had taken control of the north of the West African country. The United States, Canada, Britain, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark have voiced support for the move.
On February 1, Amnesty International said “serious human rights breaches” — including the killing of children — were occurring in the French war in Mali.