“An EU mission to train Malian soldiers is due to begin as part of efforts to help the West African country counter an Islamist insurgency. The first of four Malian battalions will train under European instructors at the Koulikoro base some 60km (37 miles) from the capital, Bamako. A French-led intervention that began in January has regained the main cities of northern Mali from Islamist groups. Of the 550 troops from 22 EU nations sent to Mali, about 150 are trainers with the rest made up of mission support staff and force protection. “
Source: BBC News – Mali crisis: EU troops begin training mission
