France Denies Mali Claims That It Is Abandoning Them

France 24: France hits back at claim it is 'abandoning' Mali by withdrawing troops

France hit back on Monday at the Malian prime minister's "indecent" and "unacceptable" claims that it is abandoning the war-torn country by drawing down troops from the restive Sahel region.

"There is no French pullout," Defence Minister Florence Parly told a conference in Paris, two days after Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga accused Paris of walking away from the fight against jihadist insurgents in West Africa.

"When you have thousands of troops on the ground [...] and deploy brand-new tanks in the Sahel, that is hardly the attitude of a country that is looking for a way out," said Parly, noting that Maïga's "indecent" allegations came a day after a French soldier was killed in the region – the 52nd fatality since the deployment of French forces in 2013.

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More News On The Growing Split Between France And Mali

Mali junta wiping its feet on blood of French soldiers, says angry France -- Reuters

France rejects Mali 'abandonment' claim, insists election timetable be respected -- RFI

France rejects Malian PM’s ‘indecent’ claim that Paris is abandoning the African nation -- RT

Mali accuses France of abandoning country by reducing troops fighting jihadists -- 4 News

Mali accuses France of abandonment, approaches 'private Russian companies' -- France 24

Mali approaches 'Russian private companies', slams France at UN -- News 24/AFP

Mali Seeking 'Better Ways' to Contain Terrorism -- VOA

Mali seeks to hire Russian mercenaries, says Russian Foreign Minister -- CNN

Lavrov says Mali asked private Russian military company for help -- Reuters

Russia roasts West over Mali, Afghanistan pullout -- DW