What's peoples take on this article?
I would say, if they are genuinely able to do it then what's been keeping them? Recently agreed French approval and promised support perhaps? Much more politically acceptable than non-African special forces going in to do the same job - and the media will love it and simplify it to: Tuaregs v AQ. But one imagines certain elements in Mali would not want this to succeed which is why it's gone so far, no? Ch |
And now also on Ennahar Ennahar Online - On former Tuareg rebel expect combat AQIM in Mali
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"A few weeks", they say. That should be interesting to watch. Some thoughts - this will also mean touaregs fighting touaregs, to some extent. There are touaregs who have been aching to show who are the real bosses of the desert. Perhaps those young touaregs who have joined Aqim will switch sides when/if the battle begins, rather than fighting their own. What will the French say? I suspect they will want to have the hostages released before any action is taken. Abou Zeid will then be on the lookout for a quick grab of a new set of westerners, his treasure chest full so he can pay off whoever needs to be paid off. Moro, your email is bouncing! |
Tuaregs and Drug smugglers clash near Kidal.
Ex-rebels clash with drug smugglers in Mali desert | News by Country | Reuters |
This could mark the beginning of a new relationship between Bamako and the tuaregs.
Let's hope they get on well. Good news for everyone except the bad guys, and the current hostages I am afraid. Quote:
Also: cooperation between Mali and Mauretania Ennahar Online - Mali: An alleged accomplice of AQIM wanted in Mauritania, arrested in Mali Mauritanians jailed, one for spying on westerners Mauritanian court jails two Al-Qaeda militants - Yahoo! News |
G8 met with regional countries in Bamako. Algeria boycotted the talks - but Morocco was in. Can't get both under one roof.
Capital FM Kenya: G8 countries meet on facing Al Qaeda in north Africa Niger says Europe must reinforce African armies or 'move': Niger -Laredo Sun -World News If someone is interested in Polisario's involvement in kidnappings and Aqim, here is an article with several links. Don't believe all you read, but it does give food for thought. Terrorism watch in North Africa - The World Desk, Uncategorized - Macleans.ca here's Omar Sahraouis SADR birth certificate http://middle-east-online.com/meopic...9_sahraoui.jpg (looks suspiciously new?? - refuted as a forgery here) Algerias top amenokal (tuareg chief) swears allegiance to Algeria but is pessimistic AFP: Providing security is difficult in Sahel: Tuareg chief |
Mauritania Sentences 3 Al-Qaida Suspects to Death
Mauritania Sentences 3 Al-Qaida Suspects to Death
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010...a.html?_r=1&hp |
News of this interesting-looking book was passed on to me today. Includes background on Abu Zeid - from Deb Deb not less.
Ennahar Online - "Smuggling in the name of Islam," last publication by Anis Rahmani Interestingly, it repeats the suggestion made in a few places that M Germaneau died from his medical condition (rather than execution). If that is made up, it is hard to calculate who benefits by saying it (well, for me at least). As someone reminded me, things like this published in Algeria (rather than say, France) are likely to have an agenda (possible in Europe too, of course). There is no website for the publisher but they are around. Ch |
Thx, Chris. The author Mohammed Mokaddem, alias Anis Rahmani is also the editor of Ennahar and a controversial figure in Algeria. I wonder if he explains the kidnappings in Tunisia and how the Austrians were transited to Mali. And if the mentions the DRS. ;)
Ennahar Online - AQIM: a book declares revealing the true identity of Abu Zeid "The future of AQIM", he said, "is Nigeria not in the Sahel". Ennahar Online - Why this book? "... it was necessary to put an end to the great confusion among experts and the media in both Arab and European countries on many issues concerning the development of terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa...". I like this line: "Algeria has found peace and stability and it is therefore time for documentation and analysis with compelling arguments and evidence." Hear hear, Jeremy Keenan. The book 227 pages of average size Price: 700 AD Publisher: Casbah Editions |
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Mauri don't want a French base (at least not an official one) La Mauritanie s’oppose aux bases militaires étrangères - Actualité - El Watan "We have not conducted a joint raid with the French army. But we have received technical assistance from French and this is not new." Le terrorisme sème la peur dans le pays - Actualité - El Watan Quote:
les-ex-rebelles-touareg-se-preparent-a-pourchasser-les-terroristes Quote:
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Mali, summing it up.
Mali Pays the Price of al-Qaeda's Asymmetrical Threat - The Jamestown Foundation Quote:
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Mauritanians back to Mali � The Moor Next Door
Former Touareg rebels eager to quash al-Qaeda (Magharebia.com) Five die in clash with al-Qaeda in north Mali: Mauritania | Radio Netherlands Worldwide Al Qaeda member surrenders to Mauritanian police - People's Daily Online So with the mauri deploying from the west, Ag Bahanga and his touaregs attacking from Kidal in the east and rival clans in Timbuktu eager to exact revenge for the assasination of one of their leaders, perhaps things aren't looking too good for MBM and Abu Zeid? |
They may have never left, although this could be a build-up for further action. One of the few things we learned from the Brit Mali ambassador was that Mori has had a permanent base in Mali for a while, and the contact in Mali in September with AQ was a blow.
We were also told is that the EU is co-funding the re-occupation of Mali army bases in the north Mali which, like Ikhalil, were abandoned a couple of Tuareg rebellions ago. However, he added any security benefits in the region would take some time. Ch |
Mali + Mauri = true
Nouvel élan dans la lutte anti-AQMI - International - El Watan
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Reports that a major operation is under way by Algerian army, possibly 500 terrorists surrounded in Northern Algeria.
http://www.echoroukonline.com/eng/index.php?news=11141 |
Bit of background
A bit of background about the Algerian security forces activities during the GIA period:
Uncovering Algeria's civil war - In Depth - Al Jazeera English The accusations about AQIM nowadays all stem from this period originally, and it looks as though people might be starting to turn stones over... Tony |
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