While it is possible troops were withdrawn, that's still a pretty big reduction. The 33rd for example is down to about 25% and they apparently have the largest area to cover (French speakers/readers please correct me if I'm wrong - google translate is only so good).
I like to look at it more like the launch facility was attacked in some manner and the 3rd was either caught in the blast/fallout, or was downwind and suffered casualties from toxic chemicals when the rocket fuel went up (or something along those lines). Troops from the other two units were reassigned to make up some of the losses.
It's equally possible troops were lost in conventional operations against local forces, desertion, disease, starvation, or any number of other causes.
Regardless of any of the above, it's extremely unlikely the French are going to be allowing anybody else to a) use the facility, no matter what condition it's in, or b) have access to any satellites they may happen to have in operation for any reason.
In post 2000 good communications would be vital to controlling what's left of the worlds resources. Maintaining a monopoly on this would ensure France's leading position in global matters for decades to come.
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If it moves, shoot it, if not push it, if it still doesn't move, use explosives.
Nothing happens in isolation - it's called "the butterfly effect"
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