According to a report, the army ranger wing, the Irish army’s special unit is to cease counterterrorism activity in Mali this year. Reportedly, the arw is in Mali as part of minusma, considered the most dangerous of the defence forces missions, and operates as part of a german intelligence surveillance unit.
The 13,000 strong french led mission commenced in 2013 due to conflict with the Tuareg people. According to the report, Irish involvement was authorised by the dáil in 2019 for a two year period which has been extended until this September. Reportedly, 190 u.n. personnel have died.
According to the report, another 20 irish troops are deployed in Mali as part of an eu training mission.