Takuba Task Force

The Takuba Task Force is a European military task force led by France which will advise, assist and accompany Malian Armed Forces, in coordination with G5-Sahel partners and other international actors on the ground.[1]

Takuba Task Force
French troops during combat operations in Gao
Active	2020-present
Country	European Union  France  Belgium  Czech  Denmark  Estonia  Germany  Netherlands  Norway  Portugal  Sweden  United Kingdom
Branch	Defence forces of the European Union
Type	Special Forces
Part of	Special Operations Command (France)
Engagements	Mali War

On 27 March 2020, the governments of Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Mali, Niger, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued a political statement expressing support for the creation of a task force, integrated to the command of French operation Barkhane, aiming at tackling the terrorist groups in the Liptako region, a historic region falling in eastern Burkina Faso, southwestern Niger and a small portion of southeast central Mali. Under the name Takuba, the task force will advise, assist and accompany Malian Armed Forces, in coordination with G5-Sahel partners and other international actors on the ground, including the UN mission MINUSMA, as well as the EU missions EUTM Mali, EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUCAP Sahel Niger. Expected to deploy in summer 2020, this task force will be mainly composed of European special operation forces with a high level of autonomy. So far, contributions have been pledged by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.[2]

In addition to the French and Estonian units already operating in the region, a Swedish contingent consisting of 150 men and UH60M helicopters is set to deploy in the first quarter of 2021. The Swedish troop contribution to Task Force Takuba is a helicopter-borne rapid-response force, largely manned by operators from the SOG, ready to be deployed if something unforeseen occurs. The task force will also be used for other operations, as for example to support other countries that exercise and conduct operations with the Malian army. The Swedish 150-strong unit can be increased by another 100 troops if necessary. The task force comprises special forces’ operators, personnel from the special forces support units as well as personnel from conventional units.[3]

On November 20, 2020, during an informal meeting of the defense ministers of the European Union (EU), Greek Minister of Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos read a report on the situation in the Sahel and specifically Mali. He emphasized the common interest of European nations for stability in the Sahel. The Greek Foreign Minister stressed the common interest of the member states in achieving stability in the Sahel and enhancing security in the wider region, supporting the gradual resumption of Joint Security and Defense activities in Mali as an integral part of the EU regional strategy. Greece is preparing to send a military unit to Mali to join French military forces to carry out operations against jihadist terrorists in an operation separate from the EU's missions. The Greek mission will be small and will involve Special Forces personnel who will be added to the TAKUBA Operational Force (TF TAKUBA) formed by the French. Athens is expected to send Special Forces' Paratroopers from the 2nd Paratrooper Regiment of E.T.A..[4] [5] [6]

Named after the takuba sword that is used across the western Sahel, the task force was established at the request of the Nigerien and Malian governments against the background of a deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region.[7]