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Anti-terror operation kills two French soldiers in Mali

PARIS, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- Two French soldiers were killed Wednesday during an anti-terror operation in Mali, bringing to 22 the number of troops who have lost their lives in that conflict since 2013 when France first intervened in Mali.
The French Presidency announced the deaths, praising the sacrifice of the two soldiers who died after they were hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while travelling in an armored vehicle.
France has deployed 4,000 troops in the Sahel region to counter Islamist militants, many associated with so-called Islamic State or the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) terrorist groups.
The troops are part of operation "Barkhane" and spread across, Chad, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. (end) jk.ma