ANKARA 

France has inaugurated a new temporary military base in the West African country of Mali, the French Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The temporary base in the rural commune of Gossi, in Gourma was officially inaugurated by Gen. Frederic Blachon, the commander of France's Barkhane force, on 26 June, a statement said.

Since August 2014, France's anti-insurgent Operation Barkhane has had around 4,500 troops deployed in five West African countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad.

It aids in the fight against militant groups in the Sahel region, especially in Mali.