Mauritanian troops to fight Al-Qaeda

Mauritania will send 4,000 troops to the Sahara region to combat Al-Qaeda linked terrorists who have intensified their activities there, according to media reports from Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on Sunday.

Mauritania will send 4,000 troops to the Sahara region to combat Al-Qaeda linked terrorists who have intensified their activities there, according to media reports from Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on Sunday.

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The decision announced by Mauritania's defence ministry on Saturday was made in line with the outcome of the Wednesday meeting of defence chiefs of Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

During the meeting, the four discussed their cooperation in fighting crimes, especially terrorist activities, along border areas and decided to launch massive military operations against the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Al Qaeda group active in North Africa.

The group has intensified their activities in the region in recent years. The latest one was a suicide bombing attack on the French embassy in Mauritania Aug 8, killing the suicide bomber and injuring another three people.