Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Reports of two IOF soldiers killed in military vehicle explosion in Rafah.
Israeli media: Israeli soldier killed, another wounded in explosion in Rafah.
Medical sources in West Bank: Palestinian killed by occupation fire; wounded and left to bleed while ambulance crews were barred from reaching him in Al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus.
Hamas: Facts on ground reveal opposite of claims, as occupation authorities were ones who armed criminal gangs that practiced murder and kidnapping against people of Gaza.
Hamas: US Department of State's false claims fully in line with Israeli disinformation.
Hamas responds to US claims in statement, fully rejects US claims of "imminent attack" or violation of ceasefire.
Field sources in West Bank: Israeli bulldozers vandalize Palestinian lands northwest of Nablus.
Field sources in West Bank: Settlers attack Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in Nablus.
Field sources in West Bank: Armed Israeli settlers torch Palestinian vehicles near olive groves in Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah.
Israeli PM Office: Netanyahu has ordered that the Rafah crossing will not open until further notice.

France begins military withdrawal from Chad

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Dec 2024 23:25
  • 2 Shares
2 Min Read

N'Djamena served as the headquarters for France's "anti-terrorism" operations in the Sahel, a mission that officially ended in 2022 after criticism of its effectiveness in combating extremist insurgencies.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    A Mirage 2000 aircraft of the French Air Force takes off from an airbase in N'Djamena, Chad, on December 22, 2018. (AFP)

France has initiated its military withdrawal from Chad, signaling a significant reduction of its involvement in the Sahel region.

On Tuesday, two Mirage fighter jets departed the capital, N'Djamena, returning to their base in eastern France.

French military spokesperson Colonel Guillaume Vernet confirmed the departure as "the beginning of the return of French equipment stationed in N'Djamena."

End of an era in Chad

A French colony until its independence in 1960, Chad had maintained close ties with Paris, including the presence of French troops since the 1980s.

N'Djamena served as the headquarters for France's "anti-terrorism" operations in the Sahel, a mission that officially ended in 2022 after criticism of its effectiveness in combating jihadist insurgencies.

In November, Chad ended its defense cooperation agreement with France, following the example of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which severed ties with Paris after coups replaced their governments.

Related News

Chad ends deal with Prince Harry-linked wildlife charity over poaching

African Union: Trump Africa travel ban risks strained diplomatic ties

These nations have since pivoted toward closer military and trade partnerships with Russia.

Shifting Alliances in the Sahel

France's withdrawal comes amid broader geopolitical shifts in the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Chad in June to discuss trade and strategic cooperation following a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby in January.

While around 1,000 French troops remain in Chad, Colonel Vernet stated that the full timeline for their departure would be finalized in the coming weeks.

It is unclear whether any French military personnel will remain in the country once the drawdown is complete.

Read more: Mali regains territory from extremists with Russian cooperation

France reduces regional footprint

After its withdrawal from Chad, France's military presence in Africa will primarily remain in Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

However, even these deployments are being scaled back.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently announced that French troop numbers in Senegal will be reduced from 350 to 100, and Paris has similar plans for Gabon and Ivory Coast.

  • Chad
  • French troops
  • Sahel
  • France
  • Sahel Region
  • Operation Barkhane

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Iraqi religious leader Sheikh Jawad al-Khalisi on Al Mayadeen Plus, October 18, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Most powerful decision-maker in Iraq is US: Sheikh Al-Khalisi

Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Iran, Russia, China confirm: Iran nuclear issue out of UNSC

Member of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc Ali Fayyad speaks to Al Mayadeen, October 18, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Hezbollah, allies will reject direct talks with 'Israel': MP Fayyad

The bodies of killed Palestinians held by "Israel" during the war are downloaded from Red Cross vehicles after their release, at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP)
Politics

From rubble to graveyards, Gaza continues recovering its martyrs

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS