The French army left its base in Gao, Mali, ending a nine-year military mission in the country, France 24 reported Monday.

The last soldiers belonging to France's Barkhane operation in Mali have now left the African country, the French chiefs of staff said.

French forces have been supporting Mali against insurgents for nearly a decade, but President Emmanuel Macron decided to pull out after France and the Malian junta fell out in the wake of a military takeover.

(With input from AFP)

(Cover: A French soldier stands guard in a watchtower at the Relay Desert Platform Camp (PfDR) during Operation Barkhane in Gossi, Mali, July 30, 2019. /Reuters)