Brigadier Alexandre Martin belonged to the 54th artillery regiment of Hyères. The President of the Republic expressed his deep emotion.
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New loss in Mali for the French army. A soldier from Operation Barkhane, Brigadier Alexandre Martin, was killed on Saturday January 22 in the mortar attack on the Gao military camp, the Elysée announced on Sunday. The president of the Republic “salute with respect the memory of this soldier, who died for France in the accomplishment of his mission” and “s”associate to the pain of his family, loved ones and brothers in arms”, adds the palace in its press release. VS’is the 53rd French soldier killed in combat in the Sahel since 2013.
Deep sadness at the announcement of the death in combat of Brigadier Alexandre Martin on 01/22 in Gao, Mali. I salute his commitment. All my thoughts go out to his family, loved ones and brothers in arms. pic.twitter.com/uGk9l4wurj
– Chief of the Defense Staff (@CEMA_FR) January 23, 2022
According to the general staff, this soldier from the 54th artillery regiment of Hyères (Var) was “seriously injured” by this mortar fire. “He was immediately taken care of by the medical detachment of the Gao platform but succumbed to his injuries. Nine other soldiers were slightly injured. Their condition does not inspire any concern”, he says.
This deadly attack comes as the reorganization of the French military presence in Mali is underway with the scheduled end of Operation Barkhane after nearly nine years of presence in the Sahel. This plan provides for a reduction in personnel in the Sahel, from 5,000 currently, to 2,500/3,000 by 2023. In June, France undertook to reorganize its military posture by leaving its three northernmost bases in Mali (Tessalit, Kidal and Timbuktu) to refocus around Gao and Ménaka.