France in Somalia and Mali

A second French soldier has died from gunshot wounds after an attempt to rescue a French agent, Somalia's al Shabaab rebel group said Monday. The spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told Reuters that the group will display the bodies of the dead men.

French forces went into southern Somalia by helicopter on Saturday to try to free Denis Allex, held hostage since 2009. French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday the operation had failed despite the “sacrifice” of two soldiers. Musab claimed Allex was alive and his fate would be decided later.

David Cameron has reiterated that the United Kingdom will not drop boots on the ground in Mali. The UK has provided two C17 transport planes to aid the French effort. One is expected to leave France for Mali on Monday after having flown from the UK on Sunday. The aircraft is reported to have developed some mechanical faults.

The two missions have been surprises to France. Al Shabab proved to be very daring and dangerous. The fighting spirit, training, weapons and level of sophistication of the Ansar dine rebels in Mali is also alarming to France. France promised to leave Mali within weeks. The fear in West Africa should be the resultant effect it will have on insurgency in the region has Nigeria still battles Boko Haram.