2e REI: Task Force Dragon in June 2020

The legionnaires from the Desert Task Force “Dragon”, armed mostly by the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), continued in the desert of West Africa their effort against local terrorist groups even in June 2020, within France’s Operation Barkhane.

Around 600 legionnaires from the 2e REI have been deployed in the remote three-border region of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger (in the Sahel area of Africa) since this February to take part in Operation Barkhane. Their main task is to search and neutralize the Terrorist Armed Groups (GAT) moving in the region. In June 2020, two important operations were carried out by the Task Force Dragon elements. The first one, conducted by Captain Jordan and his unit (around 100 men + 30 vehicles) were sent west of Gao, a town in Mali, to scout and control an area between two remote villages, since there had been reported particular activities of the GAT.

During four days, Captain Jordan‘s unit was operating in full autonomy in the desert area. Besides facing two strong sandstorms, the legionnaires were scouring the region and its settlements, gather background information and reassuring the population to break the potential link between them and the GAT terrorists.

The second important operation of the Task Force was conducted in late June It took place south of Timbuktu (a town in Mali) and the Niger River, in the direction of the Gourma region in Burkina Faso. The tactical operation comprised vehicles as well as French Caiman and British Chinook helicopters to transport quickly the legionnaires for harrasing the terrorists. The men have also recognized an area in which the Barkhane force had not been gone for some time.

France has about 5,000 soldiers currently deployed in the Sahel region of Africa to participate in Operation Barkhane.

Foreign Legion - 2e REI - 2 REI - June 2020 - Task Force Dragon - Sahel

Foreign Legion - 2e REI - 2 REI - June 2020 - Task Force Dragon - Sahel

Foreign Legion - 2e REI - 2 REI - June 2020 - Task Force Dragon - Sahel

Foreign Legion - 2e REI - 2 REI - June 2020 - Task Force Dragon - Sahel

 

Source/Photo credits: Defense.gouv.frEcpad.fr

 

Related posts:
2e REI: Task Force Dragon in April 2020
Operation Barkhane: Immersion in the three-border region
2020 Operation Monclar in the Sahel
2e REI: 750 legionnaires to deploy overseas