13e DBLE, 1er REG: Ivory Coast 2023-2024 | French Foreign Legion Information

In February 2024, men of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) and the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) returned from West Africa’s Ivory Coast. They were deployed there for four months.

At the end of September 2023, the men of HQ, HQ Company and 3rd Company of the 13e DBLE – along with their Colonel Riou – left France for Ivory Coast in West Africa. In this former colony of France, they formed the HQ and infantry elements of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (43e BIMa), a French combined arms unit. The battalion, like the other French overseas units, is composed of rotating elements usually changing every four months. The only exception is that the commander changes every four months, too. Therefore, Colonel Riou took command of the 43e BIMa. The battalion is stationed at Camp Port-Bouët in Abidjan, the capital.

At the same time, the 2nd Company, 1er REG formed the engineer elements of the battalion, while the men of the 1st Spahi Regiment formed its cavalry squadron. All the three regiments are part of France’s 6th Light Armored Brigade (6e BLB).

The French forces on Ivorian soil are in line with the 2012 defense partnership agreement, which seals a long-standing closeness between France and Ivory Coast. The territory is one of two French forward operating bases in Africa.

Its importance is demonstrated by the presence of a third unit of the Foreign Legion in the country in late 2023: the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP). The regiment deployed to Ivory Coast almost at full strength, including their colonel.

The French troops in Ivory Coast (about 950 personnel on paper) are tasked mainly with keeping a French presence in the region, providing logistical support for French military operations, maintaining good relationship with the local authorities and military, and training local troops. They are also to be able to deploy anywhere in West Africa at very short notice.

This year, another 13e DBLE company plans to deploy to Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, the 4th Company 13e DBLE serves in Djibouti.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Colonel Riou - Ivory Coast - 2023 — The 13e DBLE’s Colonel *Riou* salutes the flag of the 43e BIMa in Ivory Coast in late September 2023. He is about to take over the command of the battalion.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Ivory Coast - 2023 — 13e DBLE legionnaires in Ivory Coast in 2023. They wear the badge of the 43e BIMa.

Foreign Legion - 1er REG - Ivory Coast - 2023 — 1er REG legionnaires at Camp Port-Bouët in *Abidjan*, the capital of Ivory Coast, in 2023.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Ivory Coast - 2023 - Sports competitions — 13e DBLE legionnaires from the HQ and 3rd Companies during sports competitions in Ivory Coast, late 2023.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Ivory Coast - 2023 - Christmas Challenge — 13e DBLE legionnaires play soccer in Ivory Coast, during the 2023 Christmas Challenge. In the background, 1er REG legionnaires are watching the play.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Ivory Coast - 2024 - Patricia Mirallès — A 13e DBLE honor guard is reviewed by French Minister of Veterans affairs *Patricia Mirallès* in Ivory Coast, in early 2024.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Ivory Coast - 2024 - drone instruction — An HQ Company 13e DBLE legionnaire provides a drone instruction to a member of the local gendarmerie. Ivory Coast, early 2024.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - 1er REG - Ivory Coast - Bugler instruction - 2024 — 13e DBLE and 1er REG legionnaires doing a bugler instruction in Ivory Coast, early 2024.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Ivory Coast - leaving ceremony - 2024 — The 4e BIMa color guard and 13e DBLE legionnaires during a leaving ceremony in Ivory Coast, February 2024.

Foreign Legion - 13e DBLE - Colonel Riou - Ivory Coast - 2024 — Colonel *Riou* says goodbye to Ivory Coast, February 2024.

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