News Flash
DHAKA, Nov 26, 2025 (BSS)- A Bangladeshi army officer for the first time received the honorary “National Defense Medal–Gold" Level from French government, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release today.
French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet handed over the honour to Bangladesh Army’s Brigadier General Mohammad Azharul Islam at a modest ceremony at his residence on Tuesday.
Azharul Islam received the medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations.
Brigadier General Azhar served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) at the Force Headquarters of the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) in Mali in 2022–2023, when he held the rank of a Colonel.
During that period, he efficiently coordinated logistics and support activities for more than 13,000 peacekeepers from various countries.
In 2022, following the redeployment of the French military’s “Barkhane” operation from Mali to neighbouring Niger and Chad, several camps in northern Mali were handed over to the UN mission.
In this complex and sensitive reconfiguration process, the logistics team led by Brigadier General Azhar worked tirelessly to ensure the safe withdrawal of the French contingent and the orderly deployment of UN personnel.
Later, when the decision was taken in 2023 for the complete withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission from Mali, the professionalism, dedication, team coordination and meticulous planning of the logistics team under his leadership enabled the safe repatriation of all UN personnel and their weapons and equipment within only six months.
The French government bestowed the honour on him in recognition of his significant role in international peacekeeping operations.
Brigadier General Azhar, an experienced peacekeeper, has successfully served in Sudan, Ivory Coast, Somalia and finally in Mali.
