Germany to send 650 troops to help fight jihadists in Mali

The German President Joachim Gauck is in Mali.

Among the issues discussed is security, to combat the jihadist threats in Mali, Germany has decided to increase its security workforce in the region.

“In this regard it should be noted that Germany has decided to send 650 soldiers to Mali. Only in times of need do you realize who your friends are. On behalf of Mali, I express my gratitude to President Gauck,” said President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, of Mali.

Gauck also visited Bundeswehr troops in Bamako and in Koulikoro, an army camp 60 kilometers away from the capital.

Around 200 German soldiers are working with the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Mali to train local forces to combat the Islamist jihads.

Islamic militants and Tuareg rebels have been conducting series of attacks in northern parts of Mali.

Shortly before the arrival of President Gauck, an Islamist is reported to have shot a rocket at UN peacekeepers, killing three troops while injuring thirty others.