FILE: Florence Parly visits special forces in Pau during the summer French Defence Minister Florence Parly visits a military base in Pau and meets with special forces on 13 June 2019. Thirteen French soldiers were killed in Mali when two helicopters collided while fighting insurgents in the country's restive north, officials said Tuesday, the heaviest single loss for the French military in nearly four decades. Thirteen French soldiers were killed in Mali when two helicopters collided while fighting insurgents in the country's restive north, officials said Tuesday, the heaviest single loss for the French military in nearly four decades. Seven of the soldiers killed belonged to the 5th combat helicopter regiment in Pau (southwest), and four others to the 4th fighter regiment in Gap (southeast. FILE IMAGES