Operation Serval

Operation Serval was a French military operation to stop Islamic militants from moving into the center of Mali. It began after the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2085 and the Malian government asked for help from France.

The operation ended on 15 July 2014 and was followed by Operation Barkhane, which started on 1 August 2014 to continue fighting Islamist fighters in the Sahel region. During this time, three important Islamic leaders were killed, while two others fled to Libya and Algeria.

The operation was named after the serval, a medium-sized wild cat found in Africa.

Background

Main article: Mali War

In January 2012, after the Libyan Civil War, many weapons became available. This led to a rebellion by the Tuareg people, who formed the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). They fought against the government of Mali. By April, the MNLA said they had reached their goals and stopped fighting, declaring Azawad independent.

However, in June 2012, the MNLA clashed with Islamist groups like Ansar Dine and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MOJWA). These groups started imposing strict rules in the area. By July, MOJWA and Ansar Dine had taken control of major cities from the MNLA. Later, they captured more towns, including Douentza in the Mopti Region and Léré in the Timbuktu Region.

Forces committed

French Forces

French Air Force

The French Air Force sent two Mirage F1 CR Reconnaissance planes and six Mirage 2000D fighter jets from Chad. They also deployed three KC-135 Stratotanker planes, one C-130 Hercules transport plane, and one Transall C-160 transport plane.

Insignia is on the brigade Serval. Based on that of the 3rd Mechanized Brigade with its motto: "One goal, victory" which was added to the map of Mali and insignia of formations that participated in operations in Mali in 2013.

On January 13, four Rafale fighter jets flew from France to attack targets in Gao. These planes then stayed in N’Djamena for the rest of the conflict. By January 16, the Air Force sent two more KC-135 Stratotanker planes and two Harfang UAVs to N’Djamena.

To move Army troops to Bamako, they used Airbus A310 and A340 planes. On January 23, a group of Fusiliers Commandos de l’Air was sent to Bamako to guard the French Air Force and help with rescue missions. They also sent two Puma helicopters for rescue work. By January 25, two more Rafale jets and two KC-135 Stratotankers arrived in N’Djamena.

Transall C-160 and C-130H Hercules planes moved supplies to Bamako and Gao.

French Army

The Mistral-class Dixmude, an amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier of the French Navy.

French Army forces included one company from the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, an Armored Cavalry platoon from the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, and one company from the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment. On January 14, Eurocopter Tiger HAP attack helicopters arrived in Mali. Companies from the 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment, and 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment also arrived from Ivory Coast.

The Commander of the French Land Forces sent a company of the 92nd Infantry Regiment with VBCI Infantry fighting vehicles to Mali. More companies with VBCI and one squadron with Leclerc main battle tanks could be sent if needed. An armored company from the Marine Infantry Tank Regiment and CAESAR self-propelled howitzers were also deployed.

By January 21, a company from the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment arrived in Bamako for security. Ground operations were led by Brigadier General Bernard Barrera.

Units involved in the first period included the 3e Brigade Mécanisée, 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 9e Brigade Légère Blindée de Marine, 11e Brigade Parachutiste, an Airmobile group, a Logistics battalion, and medical units.

C-17 transport aircraft from the United States and Canada at Istres-Le Tubé Air Base preparing to load French forces, 21 January 2013.

By May 2013, the French Army started reducing its forces. A mixed combat group called GTIA Désert stayed in Gao to support missions and the Malian Army.

French Navy

The French Navy sent five Breguet Atlantic long-range reconnaissance aircraft from Senegal. They also moved two companies of the 92nd Infantry Regiment and their equipment on the Dixmude amphibious assault ship from Toulon to Dakar, escorted by the corvette Lieutenant de vaisseau Le Hénaff.

Special Forces

French troops prepare for take-off inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft in Istres, France.

Special forces included units from the Commandement des Opérations Spéciales, FORFUSCO, and the Air Force Special Forces Bureau.

National Gendarmerie

The French National Gendarmerie sent two platoons of gendarmes to Mali for military police duties.

Intelligence

The DGSE Service Action was involved.

Allied nations

Countries supporting France included:

Belgium: Deployed two C-130H Hercules transport planes and two medical evacuation helicopters.
Canada: Sent a C-17ER Globemaster III to help transport troops and equipment.
Chad: Announced deploying 2,000 troops, including one infantry regiment and two support battalions.
Denmark: Sent a C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport plane.
Germany: Deployed three Transall C-160 planes and later approved sending up to 330 soldiers for support roles.
Netherlands: Initially sent a KDC-10 tanker/transport plane, later adding more planes and helicopters.
Spain: Deployed a C-130 Hercules plane and later added a C-295 plane and extra soldiers.
Sweden: Allowed the use of a C-17 Globemaster III for transport and sent six parachute rangers as instructors.
United Arab Emirates: Sent two C-17 Globemaster III transport planes.
United Kingdom: Deployed two C-17 Globemaster III planes and later a surveillance aircraft. British troops were sent as advisers but not for combat.
United States: Set up an air bridge using C-17 Globemaster III planes and provided support for French operations.

Operations

The operation began on 11 January 2013 when French helicopters attacked rebel forces near Sévaré. By 12 January, hundreds of French troops were helping the Malian army, and they managed to stop the rebels from moving south. French forces worked closely with troops from other countries, and with help from the United States and the United Kingdom.

French and Malian forces continued to push back the rebels, capturing important towns like Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal. Despite some difficult battles, the forces made progress in securing these areas. The operation ended on 15 July 2014 and was followed by a new operation called Operation Barkhane.

Reactions

When France sent help to Mali, many places and leaders shared their thoughts. The African group ECOWAS agreed to send its own support team right away. The European Union got ready to send trainers to help Mali's army.

The head of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, hoped France’s help would match what the United Nations had suggested earlier. Algeria’s leaders supported Mali’s request for help against terrorism. NATO’s leader, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said NATO would not get involved but supported the plan for African forces to help.

Germany offered to help train Mali’s army but said its soldiers would not fight. The Tuareg group MNLA said they would work with France and Mali to stop terrorism. Some leaders, like Israel’s prime minister, praised France’s action, while others, like Egypt’s former president, did not.

Many people in Mali’s main city supported France’s help.