Islamist activity in the Sahara in relation to travel security

[priffe]

Algeria's reticence dogs fight against al-Qaeda: experts
"several delegates to the Bamako meeting, requesting anonymity, told AFP that they considered Algeria was to blame for this lack of action.

A delegate from Niger noted that "the Algerian army, on its own, has more resources than the armies of Niger, Mali and Mauritania" put together, adding that, "I don't understand why they don't venture on to the terrain to help us fight against AQIM."
A diplomat, also from Niger, said that "the budget of the Algerian army is six times bigger than the national budget of a country like Mauritania. The ball is in Algeria's camp.""....
"Algeria doesn't need our green light to step in. It should do it straight away, especially since the Islamists come from Algeria.""

[Chris Scott]

I also read something along these lines in the last day or so and - assuming you take it at face value - have not seen it put so bluntly before.

It takes you all the way back to the explanation for 2003 (though not necessarily all the kidnappings which followed).

Ch

[priffe]

Spain wants to send troops
Terrorism Africa News - Spain set to fight AQIM terrorists | Terrorism In Africa
"The United States Africa Command sponsored website Magharebia reports that the Spanish government has been negotiating for some time with Mauritania, Algeria, and Mali to gain permission for Spanish ground forces to enter Mauritanian soil to fight against the al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), especially if Spanish citizens are kidnapped. Those same countries are said to be making plans to initiate a joint taskforce to confront AQIM due to thier kidnapping European nationals."

[priffe]

19 arrested in Carrefour, Nouakchott, major terror plot unravelled by French intelligence
Mauritania averts terror attack (Magharebia.com)

[priffe]

Intercepted delirious Malian army radio conversation:
"- Colonel, we see them. Unfortunately, they are better equipped than us. Do something!

- Brake!

- The brakes failed.

- Reduce the speed.

- It does not reverse. Remember, this is the gearbox of the old Lada that we have recovered ...

- Shut up and try to turn around!

- Impossible. We are in a corridor bordered by high dunes.

- But, the other cars in the convoy?

- Do not know. Three broke down just out and two ...

- Shut up and do all to go slower.

- You bastard, I told you that I can not!

- 30 days arrest!

- I'd be happy if God made me to return safe and sound, or even amputation of an arm. I see their turbans, Colonel. They are heavily armed, do something ...

- Organ of Stalin?

- Worse! Automatic pistols pointed at me. They will shoot, do something, Colonel.

- Automatic Pistols? But you have kalash. Use them.

- Colonel G can not, I drive

- And your four companions

- Three have vanished, one who recites the prayer of death. Am alone and I drive, do something ...

- Shut up and imitate those who pray

(Adam Thiam)

[priffe]

Iyad Ag Ghali is said to have joied up with Emir Abdelkrim, Abdelkarim le Targui, real name Ahmad Ag-Ama, the touareg who works for Abou Zeid with 150-200 men, mainly touareg, mauretanian and several other nationalities. His unit is katiba "Al Ansar".
http://www.maliweb.net/news/la-situa...cle,36817.html
He is described as being the opposite of Ag Ghali, but...things change?
" Alghabass Ag Intallah, MP and leader of the new Ifoghas, almost bursts into laughter upon hearing the news of the head of Salafist rallying to the former rebel leader. "Abdelkrim and Iyad are separated by the extremism of the first and flexibility of the second.""
Des mercenaires étrangers ont participé à l’attaque de Tinzaouatine - Temoust.org | Le portail du peuple touareg berbère Kel Tamasheq
Michel Germaneau : le chef de l'AQMI designe son assassin. - blutzfather sur LePost.fr (10:27)

[priffe]

This may fit better in here - up to you, Chris -

El Khabar - The three kidnapping outfits of Abou Zeid
The three kidnapping branches of Aqim. Rather, two of them under AZ and one under MBM.

WARNING OF IMMINENT KIDNAPPING THREATS IN MAURETANIA, BURKINA, NIGERIA.
This based on information gathered from arrested suspects in Algeria, concerning sleeper cells esp. in Mauretania.

Security strengthened in the south
El Khabar

"El Khabar has learned from informed sources that the staff of the army and the command of the gendarmerie had sent a letter to their commands to Illizi and Tamanrasset in the adoption of a new military strategy to secure movement of foreign nationals on the axes and roads and tourist sites of the two regions mentioned, following the spate of abductions of foreigners by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. Our sources indicated that the ground and aerial surveillance has been strengthened in some areas and difficult routes of the Sahara, and the strengthening of security units and intervention of the national police and the security of tourist spots. And travel groups and exit of tourists especially in the region of Djanet and there are many activities and tourist or tourists stay longer, same for the regions' Timiaouine "and Beja Bordj Mokhtar, on the border between the wilaya of Adrar and Tamanrasset, and the regions of Ain Guezzam, Tin Zouatene on the border with Mali and Niger."
Very well, if only they could now do something more pro-active in N Mali.

EU police, experts to counter al Qaeda in Africa-UK | News by Country | Reuters
"We are stepping up our efforts to counter terrorism in the Sahel region and to support economic and political development," said Hague, who last month became the first British minister to visit Mauritania.

Britain is working with France and other European allies to develop an effective EU approach to security and development in the Sahel, he said.

Plans were at an early stage for a small EU mission in the Sahel region, focusing on policing, security, infrastructure development and regional training, he said
Hague said that Britain was co-funding a military and police base on the Mali-Algerian border as well as emergency planning training in Mali and Niger.

"We are also working closely with Nigeria to combat the threat of terrorism," he said."

The paradox of the Algerian passivity is that it leads to an increased European presence, which is exactly what they do not want. Now Spain, France, UK have expressed interest in moving in troops.
"On the Mali-Algerian border" - where would that be? Ikhlil?
Now I am thinking Taoudenni may be the right spot, for several reasons.

One result of the increasing problems is that finally something may happen. We can hope.

Vehicle theft is rampant in the desert now, even the police/military have been robbed, near Kidal.

[Chris Scott]

The European Union plans to send a team of police and security experts to the region on the southern edge of Africa's Sahara desert to help governments there combat a growing threat from al Qaeda

Wasn't this the US response in 2002 with their Operation Pan Sahel and the Trans Sahara Initiative (I forget the exact names)? I know they were only providing training and gear, but what has come of that? Is there still a US base in Gao? If there is or ever was, hard to believe it has had any positive effect. Mori seems to be another story, though.

The thing is, if as we have read, the police in Timbuktu wait a few hours to allow the abductors a good get away, then what hope is there? It's all fixed, isn't it?

They left it too late, and now following the Libyan outwash it's going to get much worse.

... co-funding a military and police base on the Mali-Algerian border
Where would that be? Ikhlil?
Now I am thinking Taoudenni may be the right spot, for several reasons.

I can't see them putting a base or people anywhere out in north Mali - way too risky and expensive. I'd guess it will be Bordj; good comms, airport, etc - and far enough out on the front line. I suspect foreign 'training' troops have been a long time in south Alg - the govt just don't shout about it as they know it wont go down well with the people.

Ch

[priffe]

Would Algeria let US/French/UK/Spanish troops operate openly from their soil?

[Chris Scott]

Only for some really good toys - but even then, the public rhetoric so far has been 'no way, never!' hasn't it?

Let's face it - Alg could clean it up down there without EU help, anyway

[priffe]

Yep to that, but they wont, so now they will be watching frenchies and brits wash their laundry on the other side.
El Khabar-Europe continues to pay the kidnappers and put pressure on the Algerian army to intervene
"Parts close to the French government put pressure on the Algerian army, to push to launch combined military operations in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and Sahara. This pressure comes as part of the prosecution to trace the kidnappers of two French nationals in northern Mali."
"It is clear that the command of the Algerian People's National Army does not even discuss the idea of ​​pursuing the squadrons of the Emirate of the Sahara on the floor of the neighboring countries, since its mission is well defined and limited by the constitution."

Don't think they will ever let those frenchies attack from Bordj.
OTOH there probably won't be many foreign troops visible on the Malian side, they will try to do what the French have done in Mauretania, with success (so far) - training and arming local troops. There is a US base in Gao, I saw it in 2009, but what has come out of it?
What they can do is surveillance. And if things get really ugly, like in Somalia, perhaps they can motivate the use of drones (to be launched from where?)?
Do you agree?

[florence of arabia]

Originally Posted by priffe

Intercepted delirious Malian army radio conversation:
"- Colonel, we see them. Unfortunately, they are better equipped than us. Do something!

- Brake!

- The brakes failed.

- Reduce the speed.

- It does not reverse. Remember, this is the gearbox of the old Lada that we have recovered ...

- Shut up and try to turn around!

- Impossible. We are in a corridor bordered by high dunes.

- But, the other cars in the convoy?

- Do not know. Three broke down just out and two ...

- Shut up and do all to go slower.

- You bastard, I told you that I can not!

- 30 days arrest!

- I'd be happy if God made me to return safe and sound, or even amputation of an arm. I see their turbans, Colonel. They are heavily armed, do something ...

- Organ of Stalin?

- Worse! Automatic pistols pointed at me. They will shoot, do something, Colonel.

- Automatic Pistols? But you have kalash. Use them.

- Colonel G can not, I drive

- And your four companions

- Three have vanished, one who recites the prayer of death. Am alone and I drive, do something ...

- Shut up and imitate those who pray

(Adam Thiam)

one vodka too many?

[priffe]

"Organ of Stalin" Seriously though, horrible.

Kidal touaregs deny that Ag Ghaly has become radicalized or starting a rebellion.

M.N.A.( Mouvement National de l'Azawad) facebook

[Dave The Hat]

Canadians getting in on the action:

Canada sends special forces to aid African al-Qaida fight

[priffe]

Canadian Special Ops...
"The Canadian Special Operations Regiment sent one small team this summer to northern Mali to provide instruction for that country's special forces. Another team is currently in the capital city of Bamako providing counter-terrorism skills training and officer training.

The teams number fewer than 15 soldiers."

"Northern Mali" - is there something going on there? I think they mean Gao, and that they are working with/under the Amerrkans as a part of Operation Flintlock?