MALI: Thirteen French soldiers were killed in a helicopter collision during an operation against jihadists in Mali, BBC reported.
Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron expressed sadness over the biggest single loss of life for the French military since the 1980s.
An investigation has begun into how the two helicopters collided each other.
Thousands of French troops have been deployed in Mali since 2013 after militants overran parts of the north.
Mali’s army has since recaptured the territory but insecurity continues and the violence has spread to neighboring countries.
France now has 4,500 troops deployed to support the forces of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad against the jihadists.
According to French military, the collision occurred when a Tiger attack helicopter hit a Cougar military transport mid-air in darkness near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger, killing everyone on board including six commandos and a officer.
(Agencies)
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