Thirteen French soldiers of the Barkhane force have died in Mali

Two Operation Barkhane helicopters collided on Monday night in Mali, killing the 13 French soldiers on board. These soldiers were in full combat operation against the jihadists when the tragedy took place.

Opponents of the French forces were part of the « Islamic State in the Great Sahara » (EIGS), announced General Lecointre, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the soldiers « dead for France » Tuesday, November 26, after the death of 13 soldiers killed during a combat operation in Mali.

This Tuesday afternoon, at 3 pm, the National Assembly interrupted its work to observe a minute of silence in tribute to the victims.

« Our country is in mourning, » said National Assembly President Richard Ferrand, « These unfortunate Army soldiers have sacrificed their lives for our homeland, under the tricolor they have committed their lives to defend our security. , our values, our freedoms, in this relentless debate that we are waging against terrorism and obscurantism.  »

« When I say that France is fighting, I am a figurehead, they are men and women who are fighting, (…) aware of the burden on their shoulders », said Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, visibly moved, like the Minister of Armies Florence Parly, in front of the hemicycle.

The victims are « six officers, six NCOs, and a master corporal, fallen in operation and dead for France in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, » the presidency said in a statement.

Among the victims, the son of the former minister and French centrist Senator Jean-Marie Bockel, confirmed the latter to AFP. Seven of the soldiers killed belonged to the 5th combat helicopter regiment of Pau (southwest), and four others to the 4th regiment of Gap fighters (south-east).

Captain Nicolas Mégard, of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments of Pau
Captain Benjamin Gireud, of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments of Pau
Captain Clement Frisonroche, of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments of Pau
Lieutenant Alex Morisse, of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments of Pau
Lieutenant Pierre Bockel, of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments of Pau
Chief Warrant Officer Julien Carette, 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments, Pau
Brigadier-Chief Romain Salles de Saint Paul, from the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiments of Pau
Captain Romain Chomel de Jarnieu, from the 4th Gap Fighter Regiment
Chief Marshal Alexandre Protin, from the 4th Gap Fighter Regiment
The sergeant Antoine Serre, 4th Regiment of Gap hunters
Marshal Valentin Duval of the 4th Gap Fighter Regiment
Chief Marshal Jérémy Leusie of the 93rd Varces Mountain Artillery Regiment
Sergeant-Chief Andrey Jouk, 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment of Saint Christol

A national tribute ceremony, chaired by President Emmanuel Macron, will take place in the Invalides « in the coming days, » said Tuesday, November 26 the Minister of Armies Florence Parly.

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