The French military said operations by French and Malian forces have killed 20 extremists in the restive border zone in Africa's Sahel region where Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso meet. In recent times, France have stepped-up efforts to combat terrorist groups in the area.<br />'' <br />'' In a statement, the French Army said that earlier in the week, two French commando operations killed about 10 other extremists in the border zone where terrorist groups including Islamic State in the Grand Sahara operate.<br />'' <br />'' The military action came after French President, Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of the G5 Sahel group – Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad – launched a new plan last month to fight terrorists in the area.<br />''