Thirteen French soldiers have died in an accident involving two helicopters during an operation against jihadists in Mali, French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Tuesday.
Macron expressed “deep sadness” over the incident and offered his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Treize de nos militaires sont morts hier au Mali. Ils étaient engagés dans une opération de combat contre des terroristes. Ces treize héros n’avaient qu’un seul but : nous protéger. Je m’incline devant la douleur de leurs proches et de leurs camarades.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 26, 2019
“Thirteen of our soldiers died yesterday in Mali. They were engaged in a combat operation against terrorists. These thirteen heroes had only one goal: to protect us. I bow to the pain of their loved ones and comrades”, his Tweet read.
According to a statement by Elysee Palace, the accident involving six officers, six non-commissioned officers, and a Master Corporal happened on evening of Monday, November 25, 2019,when two helicopters collided during a combat operation against jihadists.
“They died for France in the hard fight against terrorism in the Sahel. He sends their families and their loved ones his most sincere condolences, assuring them of the unfailing solidarity of the Nation,” the statement said.
The statement went on to say that President Macron wishes to salute the courage of the French soldiers engaged in the Sahel and their determination to continue their mission. He assured them of his complete confidence.
