国际英语新闻:France to send new batch of troops to North Africa to curb terror threats

PARIS, July 13 (Xinhua) -- French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday announced France would send a new batch of 3,000 troops to the Sahel region where the troops will combat extremist insurgents with African countries' support.

In partnership with five countries in the Sahel-Sahara region, the counter terrorism operation will start in the coming days with 3,000 soldiers to be deployed in the area and to be supported by drones, helicopters and fighter jets to have the necessary reactivity, Le Drian said.

In an interview with the local broadcaster Erope1, Le Drian said Paris military offensive in northern Mali to help local authorities to oust Islamist rebels was ended, adding it will be replaced by Barkhane mission, a regional operation to crack down on terrorists in the Sahel region.

"The president wanted a reorganisation of our troops in the (Sahel) zone," as "It's our security which is at stake," Le Drian said.

"The aim is to prevent what I call the highway of all forms of traffics to become a place of permanent passage, where jihadist groups between Libya and the Atlantic Ocean can rebuild themselves, which would lead to serious consequences for our security," he added.

"Now there is a concern for us and for the countries in the area to make sure there is no upsurge (in terrorism) as there are still major risks that jihadists will develop in the zone that goes from the Horn of Africa to Guinea-Bissau," Le Drian said.

France has been the target of terrorist groups' attack following its military commitment mainly in Afghanistan and in Mali. A total of 14 French nationals had been in hands of al Qaeda-linked groups in the Sahel region.