France increases its efforts in the fight against Boko Haram

In this photo taken Monday March 9, 2015, Nigerian troops patrol in the north-eastern Nigeria city of Mubi, some 20 kms (14 miles) west of the Cameroon border. Nigerian troops recaptured Mubi from Boko Haram militants in February 2015. On Friday March 13, 2015, the Islamic State group's media arm Al-Furqan, in an audio recording by spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, said that Boko Haram's pledge of allegiance has been accepted, claiming the caliphate has now expanded to West Africa. (AP Photo/str) In this photo taken Monday March 9, 2015, Nigerian troops patrol in the north-eastern Nigeria city of Mubi, some 20 kms (14 miles) west of the Cameroon border. Nigerian troops recaptured Mubi from Boko Haram militants in February 2015. On Friday March 13, 2015, the Islamic State group's media arm Al-Furqan, in an audio recording by spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, said that Boko Haram's pledge of allegiance has been accepted, claiming the caliphate has now expanded to West Africa. (AP Photo/str)

By Associated Press March 13, 2015 2 min read

PARIS (AP) – France has reoriented its military efforts in West Africa to focus more on the fight against Boko Haram, especially by providing intelligence to the African countries that are at war against the extremist movement.

France supports the offensive led by Chad in cooperation with Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria – Boko Haram’s base.

About 30 French troops are deployed in Niger since last month near the Nigerian border, and French jets frequently fly over the area to provide intelligence, according to two French top diplomatic officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly.

The country also provides fuel and food supplies to Chadian troops, said one of the officials.

France has a big air base with 600 troops in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, close to Cameroon’s border and northern Nigeria.