The French army has “neutralised” 200 jihadist fighters in the Sahel over the last year, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says in an interview to be published tomorrow. Peace talks between Mali’s government and rebels should conclude next month, he said. The French military has either killed or captured 200 …

Algeria is preparing for worst-case scenarios, due to the deterioration of conditions in the Sahel. Mounting concerns over border security led Algeria to toughen its stance towards illegal immigrants. But more than just refugees try to cross borders in times of conflict.

The United States will keep about 1,000 more troops in Afghanistan than planned early next year to fill a temporary Nato troop gap in the new mission to train and advice Afghan security forces, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday on his final visit to this war-weary country as …