Saharan nations are conducting a major joint military exercise coordinated by the United States and joined by many European nations. Operation Flintlock, a three week operation with over 1,200 military personnel participating, is based out of a temporary command center in Bukina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. Flintlock aims to improve Saharan nations’ capacity to collaborate in the fight against al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and drug smugglers.
