Article “The End of Operation Barkhane: A New Chapter in the Fight Against Islamist Terrorism in Sahel”

Date of publication: August 5, 2021

Vojtěch Bílý, a new member of the Prague Centre for Middle East Relations’ (PCMR) team, analyses the security and political situation in Sahel considering the reduced French engagement in the region in his article “The End of Operation Barkhane: A New Chapter in the Fight Against Islamist Terrorism in Sahel” for The Conservative. The article also reflects on the implications for Czech military deployment in Mali.

After eight years of trying to curb the expansion of radical Islamist groups in Mali and other Sahel states, France has announced the end of Operation Barkhane. This marks the end of France’s most important foreign operation, which was actively supported by the Czech Army. Despite partial successes, however, the end of Operation Barkhane raises a number of concerns: the political situation in Mali is tense, the influence of terrorist groups in the region continues to persist and the recipe for ‘victory’ in this guerrilla war has not yet been found. The consequences of a sudden reduction in the French military presence in the region without adequate compensation could have a major impact, and not only on the Sahel.