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Checking out this Mali conflict again. Not much is going on, but here's a tidbit might worthy of attention. The French 17th parachute engineer regiment built a star fort style base, back in 2018, somewhere near Ménaka and Labbézanga. And perhaps at other places. Here's two articles: https://defensionem.com/vauban-star-forts-french-army-goes-retro-in-mali/ https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a35084150/vauban-fortification-star-forts-french-army-north-africa/ And one more with pretty pictures: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/35863/the-french-army-is-building-renaissance-style-fortresses-in-africa Maybe they can be seen on Google Earth. I couldn't find it at Labbézanga, maybe it's there somewhere I just lack the time. Back in WWII when Hungarian forces built fortifications in the Carpathians, first they inspected other forts like the Maginot line and drew conclusions from their experiences. They saw - what lacked in the Maginot - that a good fortification can be defended from threats all around, even if the lines of the fortifications are broken through, defenders can place fire where the attackers penetrated the defenses, and hold the enemy in place instead of letting them flood through; and in worst case scenario when surrounded and isolated from the rest of the chain of forts, they still can continue the fight effectively toward every direction. I think these forts in the Malian desert and savannah are similar in this question, they are capable of mounting defence all around, even with small teams, modern weapons enable sufficient firepower. And unless Malian desert warriors on their dirt bikes suddenly can install mortar teams and howitzer batteries with precision targeting, these forts can practically defend themselves with small crews, allowing the bulk of the troops going on patrols, and busy themselves elsewhere while knowing they have safe havens to return to.