FILE - French Sangaris forces fire warning flares with a 120mm mortar against ex-Seleka elements in Bambari, Central African Republic, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE - Children gather around a French Sagay tank positioned overlooking the bridge crossing the river Niger at the entrance of Gao, Northern Mali, Jan. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE- A convoy of French soldiers stops near Yaloke, north of Bangui, Central African Republic, Feb. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE - French soldiers secure the evacuation of foreigners during exchanges of fire with jihadists in Gao, northern Mali, on Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE - French forces patrol the streets of N'Djamena, Chad, Feb. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE - French soldiers secure the area where a suicide bomber attacked, at the entrance of Gao, northern Mali, Feb.10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE - A French Barkhane force soldiers mans a machine gun on board a Caiman transport helicopter during a night mission in Gao, Mali, June 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)