NATO IN THE SAHEL

Blowback from the collapse of the Muammar Gaddafi regime in

Libya triggers a civil war in Mali that is defeated by a timely French intervention called Operation Serval, which was followed by Operation Barkhane. The campaign lasts nine years, and from 2020 onward 11 other European countries, international peacekeepers and a token US special forces presence all contribute.

Although not a NATO mission, the Frenchled Operation Barkhane involved special forces from different NATO militaries