Latest news with #militarywithdrawal
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
IDF finishes new 15 km. Magen Oz Corridor splitting critical Hamas-controlled city of Khan Yunis
The announcement of the corridor came as Israel and Hamas continue to dispute the issue of military withdrawal during a ceasefire. The IDF on Wednesday announced that it had completed the new Magen Oz Corridor, splitting the critical Hamas middle-southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. Stretching 15 kilometers north from the Morag Corridor, which currently splits off Rafah from Khan Yunis, the new corridor announcement comes as Hamas and Israel say they have solved 90% of their disputes regarding a new ceasefire, other than the extent of the withdrawal of IDF forces during and after the deal. Hamas has demanded that the IDF withdraw to the lines it held in early March, when the last ceasefire was still in place, leaving the IDF only a 700-1,100 meter security perimeter around Gaza, as well as the Philadelphi Corridor bordering with Egypt. IDF General Staff and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir have been willing to accept these terms for over a week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected these terms, insisting on keeping some aspect of the IDF presence at the Morag Corridor. The timing of the announcement seemed certain to put further pressure on Hamas about additional facts on the ground, which Israel might be able to inject into the situation if a deal is not cut soon. The corridor was established by 36th Division and the Golani Brigade The 36th Division and the Golani Brigade carried out most of the work to establish the corridor, including destroying extensive Hamas positions and terror tunnels in the area. In addition, the IDF said it had killed dozens of Hamas terrorists in the process of clearing the area. Prior to the war, Khan Yunis was Hamas's second most crucial city, after Gaza City in northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas's Health Ministry said on Wednesday that IDF attacks killed 93 Palestinians and wounded 278 on Tuesday. Hamas does not distinguish between civilians and its own fighters. Likewise, the IDF has only been reporting vague numbers for how many Hamas terrorists it kills on a given day or week, without detailing the number of civilians killed. Earlier in the war, some IDF estimates suggested that 40% of those killed were Hamas terrorists, and 60% of those killed were civilians, a percentage which is better than some other urban warfare conflicts. But even IDF sources have acknowledged that in recent months, the percentage may be worse, with some accusing IDF Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, who took charge in March, of running a looser operation in that regard and taking probing mistaken killing of civilians less seriously. Asor rejected those allegations but has also offered few details to contradict critics to date. Solve the daily Crossword
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
France ends permanent military presence in West Africa
France has withdrawn troops from its last two military bases in Senegal, bringing an end to more than 60 years of presence in the West African nation. The move comes amid a wider push by former colonies to sever military ties with Paris and assert full security sovereignty. On Thursday, the French army handed over Camp Geille – its largest base in Senegal – and an airfield at Dakar airport to Senegalese authorities during a ceremony attended by senior officials from both countries. The event marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of approximately 350 French troops. The French Armed Forces General Staff said the handover of facilities and the dissolution of the French Elements of Senegal (EFS) reaffirmed Paris and its former colony's desire to 'continue their defense partnership in a renewed format.' 'It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,' General Pascal Ianni, the head of the French forces in Africa, also said, according to AP. The pullout from Senegal marks the end of France's permanent military presence in West Africa, following earlier expulsions from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Transitional authorities in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou have accused Paris of sponsoring terrorism in the Sahel region under the guise of countering jihadist insurgents. Chad also terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France last year. In February, France transferred the Port-Bouet military camp – its only army base in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – to the West African nation's authorities. In November, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April 2024, announced his decision to fully remove the French military presence from the country, stating that Senegal's sovereignty is incompatible with hosting foreign bases. Senegalese military chief General Mbaye Cisse said in a speech during the handing over ceremony on Thursday that the primary goal of the withdrawal 'is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, in Africa, and globally.'
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
France Withdraws From Senegal, Ending Its Permanent Military Presence In West Africa
DAKAR (AP) — The French military completed its withdrawal from Senegal on Thursday, its last West African country with a permanent troop presence, amid waning regional influence in recent years. France has faced opposition from leaders of some of its former colonies in Africa over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach to the continent. The French military handed over Camp Geille, its largest base in Senegal, along with a nearby air facility, to the Senegalese government during a ceremony in the capital, Dakar. Gen. Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa, said the handover marked a new phase in military ties. 'It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,' he said. Senegal's military chief, Gen. Mbaye Cissé, said the withdrawal supports the country's new defense strategy. 'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion in Africa and globally,' Gen. Cissé said. The ceremony marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of roughly 350 French troops from the West African country, which began in March. France's military had been present in Senegal since it gained independence from France in 1960 under military cooperation agreements between the two countries. The withdrawal followed a call by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye last year for all foreign troops to leave, citing Senegal's sovereignty as incompatible with hosting foreign bases. Senegal's new government has taken a hard-line stance on the presence of French troops as part of a larger regional backlash against what many see as the legacy of an oppressive colonial empire. France has said it is planning to sharply reduce its presence at all its bases in Africa except in the eastern African country of Djibouti. It said it would instead provide defense training or targeted military support based on needs expressed by those countries. France has suffered setbacks in Africa recently, including in Chad and the Ivory Coast, where it handed over its last military bases earlier this year. They follow the ousting of French forces in recent years in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where military-led governments have turned to Russia instead for military support. Around 350 French servicemen are still present in Gabon, where the army has turned its base into a camp shared with the central African nation; in the Ivory Coast, where some 80 French servicemen advise and train the Ivorian military; and in Djibouti, the last African country where France has a permanent military presence with around 1,500 troops.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
France withdraws from Senegal, ending its permanent military presence in West Africa
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The French military completed its withdrawal from Senegal on Thursday, its last West African country with a permanent troop presence, amid waning regional influence in recent years. France has faced opposition from leaders of some of its former colonies in Africa over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach to the continent. The French military handed over Camp Geille, its largest base in Senegal, along with a nearby air facility, to the Senegalese government during a ceremony in the capital, Dakar. Gen. Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa, said the handover marked a new phase in military ties. 'It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,' he said. Senegal's military chief, Gen. Mbaye Cissé, said the withdrawal supports the country's new defense strategy. 'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, in Africa, and globally,' Gen. Cissé said. The ceremony marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of roughly 350 French troops from the West African country, which began in March. France's military had been present in Senegal since it gained independence from France in 1960, under military cooperation agreements between the two countries. The withdrawal followed a call by Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye last year for all foreign troops to leave, citing Senegal's sovereignty as incompatible with hosting foreign bases. Senegal's new government has taken a hard-line stance on the presence of French troops as part of a larger regional backlash against what many see as the legacy of an oppressive colonial empire. France has said it is planning to sharply reduce its presence at all its bases in Africa except in the eastern African country of Djibouti. It said it would instead provide defense training or targeted military support, based on needs expressed by those countries. France has suffered setbacks in West Africa recently, including in Chad and the Ivory Coast where it handed over its last military bases earlier this year. They follow the ousting of French forces in recent years in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, where military-led governments have turned to Russia instead for military support. Around 350 French servicemen are still present in Gabon, where the army has turned its base into a camp shared with the central African nation, in the Ivory Coast, where some 80 French servicemen advise and train the Ivorian military and in Djibouti, the last African country where France has a permanent military presence, with around 1,500 troops. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
France withdraws from Senegal, ending its permanent military presence in West Africa
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The French military completed its withdrawal from Senegal on Thursday, its last West African country with a permanent troop presence, amid waning regional influence in recent years. France has faced opposition from leaders of some of its former colonies in Africa over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach to the continent. The French military handed over Camp Geille, its largest base in Senegal, along with a nearby air facility, to the Senegalese government during a ceremony in the capital, Dakar. Gen. Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa, said the handover marked a new phase in military ties. 'It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,' he said. Senegal's military chief, Gen. Mbaye Cissé, said the withdrawal supports the country's new defense strategy. 'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, in Africa, and globally,' Gen. Cissé said. The ceremony marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of roughly 350 French troops from the West African country, which began in March. France's military had been present in Senegal since it gained independence from France in 1960, under military cooperation agreements between the two countries. The withdrawal followed a call by Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye last year for all foreign troops to leave, citing Senegal's sovereignty as incompatible with hosting foreign bases. Senegal's new government has taken a hard-line stance on the presence of French troops as part of a larger regional backlash against what many see as the legacy of an oppressive colonial empire. France has said it is planning to sharply reduce its presence at all its bases in Africa except in the eastern African country of Djibouti. It said it would instead provide defense training or targeted military support, based on needs expressed by those countries. France has suffered setbacks in West Africa recently, including in Chad and the Ivory Coast where it handed over its last military bases earlier this year. They follow the ousting of French forces in recent years in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, where military-led governments have turned to Russia instead for military support. Around 350 French servicemen are still present in Gabon, where the army has turned its base into a camp shared with the central African nation, in the Ivory Coast, where some 80 French servicemen advise and train the Ivorian military and in Djibouti, the last African country where France has a permanent military presence, with around 1,500 troops.
