France has begun withdrawing its military forces from Chad, starting with the departure of two Mirage fighter jets from the capital, N’Djamena. This move marks the beginning of France’s pullback from the Sahel region, following Chad’s announcement to end its defense cooperation agreement with Paris.
The withdrawal comes after a significant shift in the region, with anti-French sentiment and recent military coups altering the political landscape. France still has around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, but the timeline for their full withdrawal remains uncertain.
1. Two Mirage fighter jets departed from N’Djamena, marking the start of France’s military withdrawal from Chad.
2. Chad ended its defense cooperation agreement with France on November 28, prompting the withdrawal.
3. France has withdrawn troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to anti-French sentiment and military coups.
4. Around 1,000 French troops remain in Chad, with withdrawal terms and timeline yet to be finalized.
Source: Punch
