France has begun withdrawing its fighter jets from Chad after the country’s authorities announced the cessation of long-standing military cooperation.
On Tuesday, two French Mirage aircraft departed from Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, according to the French army. The terms of the withdrawal of French troops and equipment, as well as the question of whether French forces will remain in the country, remain unresolved.
France has already withdrawn its forces from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in response to military coups and growing anti-French sentiments. The pullout from Chad will mark the end of decades of French military presence in the Sahel region and cease direct operations against Islamist militants in the area.
Currently, France still maintains around a thousand troops in Chad. Several more weeks will be needed to finalize the schedule for the withdrawal of forces.
The government of Chad unexpectedly terminated its defense pact with France on November 28. This cooperation had previously been a key element in the fight against Islamist militants in the region.
