France Halts Counterterrorism Cooperation with Mali Amid Diplomatic Tensions

France has suspended counterterrorism cooperation with Mali, escalating tensions between the two countries. The move follows Mali's arrest of a French intelligence agent. The diplomatic rift has led to officials being declared persona non grata as Mali turns to Russia for military support.

France has decided to suspend its counterterrorism cooperation with Mali, signaling further deterioration in diplomatic relations. This decision comes after Mali detained a French intelligence agent in August, heightening already existing tensions between the nations.

A diplomatic source revealed that the detained individual was a former French military officer, implicated in a plot to destabilize Mali. Meanwhile, Mali's foreign ministry has refrained from commenting on the situation.

The French foreign ministry has responded by expelling two members of the Malian embassy staff, following Mali's decision to declare five French embassy workers persona non grata. This diplomatic fallout is set against a backdrop of escalating insurgencies and how France's ties with West African nations like Mali have become frayed over military interventions.

(With inputs from agencies.)