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In a bid to combat jihadist groups active in the Sahel region, the EU pledged to fund a force made up of troops from Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger – known as the Sahel G-5. The force will also attempt to tackle trafficking networks and illegal migration in the region.

GETTY Brussels have agreed the fund the force as part of a UN peacekeeping operation

In the Mali capital Bamako, Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said: “Stability and development of the Sahel region are crucial not only for Africa but also for Europe.” Abdoulaye Diop, Mali’s foreign minister, said on Monday the new force would have some 10,000 soldiers and police officers and would become operational by the end of the year. The costly peacekeeping project comes amid a crisis of terrorism in Western Europe, which has seen twelve Islamist attacks taking place since January 2015, when two jihadis armed with assault rifles stormed into the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris and killed 12 journalists.

GETTY Federica Mogherini said the funding was to support stability in the Sahel region

Juncker's most cringe-worthy kisses Wed, September 13, 2017 Jean-Claude Juncker's many signs of affection Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 19 Jean-Claude Juncker (L) kisses vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans

The most recent attack in London, where three terrorists ploughed a van into pedestrians walking across London Bridge before moving into Borough Market to stab and kill innocent people indiscriminately, left seven people dead and dozens more injured. The Sahel is home to a number of Islamist groups, with some aligned to al-Qaeda. Since 2013, more than 3,000 French troops and 12,000 UN troops have been locked in battle with Islamist and Tuareg militants, who led an insurgency in the north of the country.

GETTY More than 13,000 UN peacekeepers have been in the Sahel since 2013

Brexit debate in pictures Mon, April 17, 2017 The debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg will focus on key issues of the Brexit talks including reciprocal rights for EU citizens, the peace process in Northern Ireland and trade Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 23 Former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage (L) gestures as he speaks with EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker (R) prior to a debate on the conclusions of the last European Council, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg