Britain dispatches 90 troops, three helicopters to Mali

LONDON, July 18 (KUNA) -- Britain has deployed 90 soldiers and three Chinook helicopters to provide logistical support to French forces operating in Mali, the British Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
"The Chinooks will provide niche logistical support and will also help improve safety by moving troops by air, rather than ground where they are more vulnerable to attack," UK Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster said.
The move was taken to prevent armed groups from using ungoverned pockets in Africa's Sahel region as a launchpad for attacks on Europe, and for illegal people, drugs, weapons and wildlife smuggling, he added.
Britain has already extended support to other UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa, including South Sudan and Somalia. (end) mrn.sd