British forces to enter Mali

British soldiers will be deployed to Mali for more than a year to carry out infantry and artillery training, its government has announced.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the UK will contribute 40 personnel to a planned EU training mission due to start in the spring.

This is in support of Malian troops fighting Islamist extremists in the west African country.

According to the minister, the UK forces will not fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked militia.

Twenty-one soldiers from the First Battalion Royal Irish Regiment will do the infantry training while 12 personnel will carry out mortar and artillery training.

Four UK personnel will be headquarters-based and three civilians from the Foreign Office’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative will provide human rights and gender awareness training.

In addition, six infantry trainers from the Republic of Ireland will add to the team.

Mr Hammond said: “We welcome the Irish contribution which will help develop further working relations between our two countries.”

Troops from France and the Czech Republic will provide military protection for the training team.

The UK has also offered up to 200 personnel to train troops from neighbouring African countries which are preparing send a military stabilisation force to Mali.

France intervened in Mali last month to help its army oust Islamist militants in the north of the country.

First published in December 2013.