Withdrawal from Mali

Sir, – You report that the Army Ranger Wing will be withdrawn from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali ("Irish special forces to withdraw from counter-terrorism operations in Mali", News, January 5th).

We are told the mission has been viewed as valuable from a training and experience point of view, but there is little consideration of whether the mission itself has been a success.

Before any decisions on future military deployments are taken, might we reflect on what our Defence Forces are training for, and if the people of the war-torn Sahel region still welcome our interventions? – Yours, etc,

DIARMUID HAYES,

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Brussels.