The funeral procession of French brigadier Alexandre Martin, killed on Saturday in Mali, crossed the Parisian bridge Alexandre III on Wednesday in front of anonymous people and soldiers who came to pay homage to him, before a ceremony behind closed doors at the Hôtel des Invalides.
The 24-year-old soldier died in a mortar attack on Saturday against the Gao camp. He is the 53rd French soldier killed in combat in the Sahel since 2013.
Nine other French soldiers were slightly injured on Saturday during this attack, which came as the dire relations between the ruling junta in Bamako and Paris raise the question of the maintenance of a French and European presence in Mali.
Thursday will be organized a national tribute in his regiment of Hyères (Var), in the presence of the Minister of the Armies Florence Parly.
Alexandre Martin had been engaged since September 2015 in the Army. After missions in Guyana, Martinique and Djibouti, he participated since October 19 in Operation Barkhane. He was married and childless.