1,200 French soldiers are now deployed for Sangaris operation in Central African Republic 0812131

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More than 1,200 French soldiers in Central African Republic
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Sunday, December 8, 2013, 10:54 AM
 
1,200 French soldiers are now deployed for Sangaris operation in Central African Republic.
French contingent in the CAR (Central African Republic), its former colony, had reached its full strength of 1,200 troops on Saturday, December 7, 2013, and was deployed to the north and west of the country to secure main roads and towns outside the capital, military officials said.
     
French contingent in the CAR (Central African Republic), its former colony, had reached its full strength of 1,200 troops on Saturday, December 7, 2013, and was deployed to the north and west of the country to secure main roads and towns outside the capital, military officials said.
More than 1,200 French soldiers are now deployed in Central African Republic for Sangaris operation.
     

President François Hollande of France announced that he would send 400 more soldiers than first announced, increasing a force mandated by the United Nations to 1,600 troops by Saturday night.

Sangaris operation was France's second intervention in Africa, a move that could help Hollande to gain some success on the diplomatic front after disastrous poll ratings showed him as the most unpopular president due to wane growth and high unemployment.

Additional French soldiers arrived to reinforce members of the Sangaris operation in Central African Republic, 2 Gazelle attack helicopters and 4 Puma transport helicopters join the ground forces to provide protection and movement of soldiers. The new troops and helicopters come mainly from forces prepositioned in Africa but also from the rapid deployment forces named "Guépard".

French troops and armoured vehicles disembarked from the BPC Dixmude, a Mistral-class projection and command (BPC) ship, during the night of December 6, 2013 in Douala (Cameroon). They crossed the border of Central African Republic to perform reconnaissance missions in the East of the country.

During the night of December 7, 2013, some French troops were deployed outside on North of the capital Bangui.

French fighter aircraft Rafale continue to patrol over the city of Bangui to protect ground troops against attacks from de rebels.
     
President François Hollande of France announced that he would send 400 more soldiers than first announced, increasing a force mandated by the United Nations to 1,600 troops by Saturday night.
French soldiers secure the streets of the capital Bangui.