The Empire Strikes Back

France never did open up their own front against ISIL in Libya after the big Paris terror attacks, but after playing a small role in dispersing the ISIL province around Sirte in Libya, France seems to have staked out a leading role against jihadis in the region they've long had a prominent security role because of France's past colonial role:

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Thursday warned troops stationed in Africa's Sahel region that they should "prepare for a long war" against jihadists.

He also promised Chad, where French troops have been stationed since 2014 under Operation Barkhane, his nation's financial support.

The operation covers Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

America's AFRICOM is also working the problem.