Operation Newcombe
Operation Newcombe | |
---|---|
Part of the War on Terror | |
Location | |
Objective | Provide non-combat military support to French forces and EUTM Mali. |
Date | 13 January 2013 – 14 November 2022 |
Executed by | United Kingdom |
Operation Newcombe was the
Background
In 2012, amid unprecedented civil unrest, rebel groups — including Islamist militants with links to Al-Qaeda — began to violently take control of northern parts of Mali. The United Nations Security Council subsequently authorised a French-backed resolution for African-led military action to retake control.[6] In January 2013, Ansar Dine Islamists ran the Malian Army out of the city of Konna, which is situated 600 kilometres (370 mi) northeast of the capital Bamako.[7] Following a request for military assistance from Mali, France launched Operation Serval and began targeting Islamist militants in the north of the country.[7][8] France requested assistance from other countries, including the United Kingdom, and following a phone call between British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President François Hollande, the UK agreed to contribute "very limited strategic tactical support" with no personnel deployed in a combat role.[3]
Deployment
2013–2020
On 13 January 2013, two
On 29 January 2013, 330 British military personnel were deployed to West Africa in a training role, including 40 destined for Mali in support of the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).[14][15] In addition to assisting French and EU forces, the UK also assisted the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) with the deployment of a 200-strong military training team and RAF C-17 transportation flights.[15]
In 2016, the UK pledged to continue its C-17 support on a monthly basis.[16]
In 2018, No. 1310 Flight RAF, consisting three RAF Chinook transport helicopters and up to 60 support personnel, were deployed to Mali to assist French operations.[17][18] A C-17 was used to transport supplies necessary for the deployment, which landed at Gao International Airport.[19] In November 2019, the aircraft were involved in the response effort following the 2019 Ménaka mid-air collision which killed 13 French soldiers — the largest loss of French service personnel in nearly four decades.[20]
In 2019, the UK announced its intention to deploy 250 military personnel to
2020–
By May 2020, the Chinooks had passed 2,000 flying hours, moved over 1,000 tonnes of freight and transported 12,000 passengers.
During a four-month tour between May–July 2020, British Chinook helicopters took part in several intensive operations, including a series of company-sized airlifts of French Army units. One phase of the operation saw a Chinook flying during the night alongside French Caiman helicopters to insert over 130 troops for a clearance patrol before returning them back to Gao 36 hours later.[25]
In November 2020, 300 British troops from the Light Dragoons and the Royal Anglian Regiment arrived in Mali to undertake their MINUSMA peacekeeping mission. Arriving via an RAF Atlas aircraft, the troops began operating out of a British section of a UN camp in Gao, named Camp Bagnold in honour of the desert explorer and soldier Brigadier
In July 2021, British Chinook helicopters helped recover two
In October 2021, whilst on a UN peacekeeping patrol from Gao to Ménaka, British troops came under fire from two armed attackers. The troops returned fire and killed both attackers whilst sustaining no casualties. It was the first time British troops had killed armed fighters in combat since the end of combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014.[28]
Withdrawal
On 14 November 2022, the UK announced a withdrawal of its forces from Mali due to political instability. There had been two coups in three years with the last one resulting in a military junta in May 2021. Relations between Mali and Western powers subsequently deteriorated as the junta resisted Western demands for an immediate transfer back to civilian rule. The junta also sought the support of the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organisation which has been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes. France announced a full withdrawal of its forces on 17 February 2022, citing "multiple obstructions" by the Malian government, which was completed by 16 August 2022.[29] British forces remained in the country in support of UN peacekeeping duties until 14 November, when Defence Minister James Heappey announced a withdrawal. In Parliament, he stated: "Two coups in three years have undermined international efforts to advance peace". He added: "[The Malian government] began working with the Russian mercenary group Wagner and actively sought to interfere with the work of both the French-led and UN missions. [...] This government cannot deploy our nation's military to provide security when the host country's government is not willing to work with us to deliver lasting stability and security".[5]
See also
- Operation Turus - A similar British military operation to support Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram
References
- ^ a b "Operation NEWCOMBE Explained: Peacekeeping in Mali". Ministry of Defence. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ "FOI2018/13682" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 2 November 2018.
(12) Operation NEWCOMBE - UK logistical support to France and contribution to EU Training Mission
- ^ a b "Mali: RAF C17 cargo plane to help French operation". BBC News. 13 January 2013.
- ^ "UK Armed Forces Deaths: Operational deaths post World War II" (PDF). Ministry of Defence.
Western Africa (Op NEWCOMBE- Phase 1) (GSM 08) 13-Jan-13
- ^ a b "UK withdraws peacekeeping troops from Mali over Russian mercenary Wagner Group links". ITV News. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ "UN approves military mission to oust Mali Islamists". France 24. 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Mali asks France for help as Islamist militants advance". France 24. 11 January 2013.
- ^ "France confirms Mali military intervention". BBC News. 11 January 2013.
- ^ "RAF C-17 aircraft depart for Mali mission". GOV.UK. 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Mali: RAF surveillance aircraft Sentinel deployed". BBC News. 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Sentinel" (PDF). Raytheon. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
During a four-month deployment to Dakar, Senegal codenamed Operation Newcombe, No 5 Squadron flew 66 missions and nearly 700 hours, mostly over the north and northeast of the country
- ^ "Royal Air Force lifts lid on Sentinel's role in Mali". flightglobal. 10 July 2013.
- ^ "RAF Sentinel Comes Home". defense-aerospace.com. 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Mali crisis: 330 UK military personnel sent to West Africa". BBC News. 29 January 2013.
- ^ a b "British aircraft supports African mission to Mali". 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Defence Secretary secures progress on Brimstone sales as unmanned aircraft project moves forward". GOV.UK. 3 March 2016.
- ^ "RAF Chinooks Begin Mali Deployment With French Military". Forces News. 20 September 2018.
- ^ a b "The Wire - The Magazine of the Royal Corps of Signals" (PDF). Royal Signals.
- ^ "Royal Air Force C-17 aircraft arrives in Mali for the first time". Royal Air Force. 11 October 2018.
- ^ "RAF Chinook Part Of Response After French Troops Killed In Mali Helicopter Crash". Forces News. 26 November 2019.
- ^ "UK To Deploy 250 Troops To Mali On Peacekeeping Operations". Forces News. 22 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Royal Air Force Chinooks Pass 2000 Hours Milestone Supporting French Operations In Mali". Royal Air Force. 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Op Newcombe ~ RAF Chinook Mali Mission Extended". Joint-Forces.com. 12 June 2020.
- ^ "UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali". UK Parliament. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "RAF Chinooks Conduct Intensive Operations In Mali". Royal Air Force. 30 July 2020.
- ^ "300 British troops deploy to Mali on UN Peacekeeping Mission". Ministry of Defence. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- BFBS.
- BFBS. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ Assheton, Richard (16 August 2022). "Jihadists 'kill Wagner Group mercenaries' as last French troops leave Mali". The Times. Retrieved 15 November 2022.