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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."" |
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 |
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." |
19 arrested in Carrefour, Nouakchott, major terror plot unravelled by French intelligence
Mauritania averts terror attack (Magharebia.com) |
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) |
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) |
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. |
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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. Quote:
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Would Algeria let US/French/UK/Spanish troops operate openly from their soil?
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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 |
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? :) |
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"Organ of Stalin" :D 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 |
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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? |
Last Frenchman in northern Mali refuses to leave Qaeda hotspot
http://www.eurasiareview.com/0312201...d-cooperation/ "Ould Dah told Magharebia that it was an important step “because – until recently – al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb used to benefit from Algeria insisting on spearheading the fight against terrorism over the rest of its neighbours, a position that adversely affected co-operation among Sahel countries”. Relations between Mauritania and Algeria were strained after the Mauritanian army attacked an al-Qaeda encampment in the Wagadou Forest region of northern Mali last June, according to the analyst. Ould Dah said Algerian media inaccurately reported the Mauritanian army was defeated in the battle. “Additionally, Algeria was reluctant to offer the Mauritanian army any intelligence information, or take part in the joint forces of the Sahel countries, leaving Mauritania alone in its confrontations with terrorists,” he said. However, this latest step taken by Algeria marks a move toward more security co-operation among Sahel states. Political analyst Mokhtar Al-Salem said the visit was a “notable development” in terms of improving relations. He added that the Mauritanian president has strong ties with Morocco, where Ould Abdel Aziz received his military training. “However, the fall of Kadhafi forced Algeria to shuffle the cards and search for new allies that may not include the Libyan interim council, after Algeria hosted Aisha Kadhafi,” al-Salem said. “Algeria cannot afford to remain at odds with Morocco, Mauritania and Libya. Otherwise, it will be living in political isolation in the Arab Maghreb, which does not exactly serve its ends as a military power in the region,” the analyst noted." |
Aqim spreads from Maghreb to Sahel
Article suggests Aqim threat to not just Maghreb and Sahel regions, but also Europe.
Al-Qaida offshoot hopes to turn Africa's Sahel region into a 'new Somalia' l Simon Tisdall l guardian.co.uk The amount of arms they are believed to have at their disposal is alarming. |
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"Robert Fowler, a former UN special envoy to Niger and Canadian diplomat who was kidnapped and held hostage for four months in 2008-9 by al-Qaida in the Maghreb (AQIM), said the 31-strong group of captors was well-disciplined and wholly concentrated on its aim of creating an Islamic caliphate embracing the Muslim lands of Africa and the Middle East. "These men are highly motivated and totally ascetic," Fowler said. "These guys have no needs. They are dressed in rags. They have a bag of rice and a belt of ammunition and that's it. I was held in 23 different locations in about 70 days. They are organised. They can break camp in under four minutes." Fowler continued: "This was the most focused group of young men I have ever encountered in my life. They are totally committed to jihad. They said to me, 'We fight to die, you fight to go home to your wife and kids. Guess who will win?' Even if it takes 200 years … They want to turn the Sahel into a new Somalia."" |
al Qaida want to terrorise the whole of the sub Sahel region.
More worrying news for the region.
Al-Qaida offshoot hopes to turn Africa's Sahel region into a 'new Somalia' | World news | The Guardian |
With the new AQ franchise opening in WA run by sahrawi, algerians and west africans, problems are spreading.
Next year they have presidential elections in France. Sarko would really like to enjoy some measure of success before then by liberating the hostages in Africa, like he succeeded with the three who were kidnapped in Jemen. So he sent minister Gueant to Algeria to talk with Bouteflika. Who didn't personally receive him. France is putting pressure on Algeria by planning to set up a base south of the algerian border. Boutef doesn't respond well to threats and want the french to ask nicely (like Spain did, and that manhunt seems to ge going full blast). War of nerves by Franco-Algerian AQIM proxy | Latest News EU to invest €150M in Mauri, Mali, Niger security. Niger sends elite forces to the north. Mali sends their 'elite' (sic) forces to Kidal. http://af.reuters.com/article/maliNe...111209?sp=true If it turns out Nato can't use ground forces in the Sahel, for political reasons, then what? -train malian peasants forever -arm and set up tuareg units (possibly in the works, but how and with consent by whom?) -make a deal with Boutef -use drones -other? Meanwhile, 25% of missing SAM robots found and destroyed in Libya. AFP: 5,000 surface-to-air missiles secured in Libya: US |
drone base in El Gatrun?
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It's not going to get better soon
I was just at another FCO meeting today on Sahel security for tour ops and interested parties.
To cut a long story short: • They see no imminent prospect of final showdown with AQIM from Mali or adjacent countries/EU. • Mali is more concerned about a new Tuareg uprising than the activities of AQIM. (And so, as had been mentioned, no prospect of a Tuareg militia to kick out AQIM from north Mali). • There is still a US training base is Gao - but their efforts over the years appear to have been unproductive. • The Brit govt guy from Bamako said the Malians were genuinely shocked by the Timbuktu events. The breaking of a 'non aggression' pact was spoken of, as well as a 'declaration of war'.[added] Also, a fairly plausible explanation for the slow reaction of the police/army to chase the 3 kidnapped from T'too: no fuel; no permission; too scared of ending up like the German guy. After all, it's not like T'too has been an effective outpost, poised to chase AQ into the desert. A few weeks before, security there had been reported as pretty slack during an official Mali Tourisme promo tour. Rather tellingly 'Hombori' was never mentioned - until some of us referred to it later. Ch |
Lot of buzz about this drone base....expect much more
Libye – Une base militaire secrète Américaine et Française en Libye à Katroune – Vidéo à voir (11 décembre 2011) | Politique, Algérie | Algeria ISP L'Algérie refuse le survol des drones américains et français au-dessus de ses zones désertiques - china radio international Algeria has their own drones? Algeria halts U.S.-French drones flying in its skies |
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It could also be interpreted as one arm of the state mafia robbing the other. By classifying it as 'ransom money destined for bad guy ABZ', it gets legitimised.
It did state "... that could be part of the ransom paid for release of French hostages..." You could ask, why would ransom money for the Areva French rumble down the TSH in Alg of all places? As likely to be 'laundry' or a payroll to southerners for services rendered. I think that ransoms have been paid from the very beginning is in little doubt. Ch |
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And yes, ransoms have obviously been paid in the past - but there is nothing like a bag of cash to set against the persistent denial of payment by the authorities. Maybe its just the scientist in me! |
€1.7M would have been a substantial loss. But I thought the money was meant for the beards in the north?
In the past Moammar Khadafi paid the ransom money on several occasions, in turn getting favours from the west and allowing the European nations involved to pretend no money changed hands. Now that route is closed and negotiations harder. Another couple 4x4s from Libya loaded with rockets and what not were apprehended near Djanet a couple days ago. Why don't they play it safe and go south into Niger? Or is the Nigerian army as tough as the Algies now? |
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Another couple 4x4s from Libya loaded with rockets and what not were apprehended near Djanet a couple days ago. Why don't they play it safe and go south into Niger? Or is the Nigerian army as tough as the Algies now?[/QUOTE] I don't understand this either. No way is the Niger military as capable/equipped/numerous in that part of the Sahara. Niger has bases in Dirkou, possibly Madama but nothing to speak of in Chirfa. I'd cut across the Djado plateau in Niger and head across the N.Tenere into the Air. Unless its Algeria they want to infiltrate, not NE Mali. |
Could be fake news to validate the tourist closure.
Assuming it was between In Amenas and Tarat (Tassili N'Ajjer to the south not being passable except along A3, AFAIK), it's hard to think they'd get far in Algeria without being challenged. Ch |
Algerian troops have landed in kidal
This is big news for the region.
C130s were received by a delegation; not much details yet Algerian military in northern Mali mnlamov.net| Facebook http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...49675735_n.jpg |
Interesting, assuming it's correct. Last week at the FCO in London the Brit ambassador in Mali (& Niger) explained to us that part of the reason Alg can't get stuck in in north Mali was because the army were 'forbidden by their constitution from crossing borders' (this fact was scoffed at by some present). In recent months all have been invited by Mali, no?
Anyway, perhaps 'instructors' is different. A few days ago the Brit ambassador to Alg said this: Quote:
Algerian troops enter Mali to fight al-Qaeda - News - Mail & Guardian Online Ch |
Now official
L’ANP envoie des troupes au Mali et assiste une opération militaire en Mauritanie - Actualité - El Watan Algies have sent troops to Mauritania also; the arrest of some traffickers/kidnappers at El Hank last week (which the Malians loudly protested; why?) was supposedly a joint Alg-Polisario-Mauretanian operation. One wonders what the next step will be? Alg isn't forthcoming with info. According to some Malian source there was at least fifteen instructors including high ranking officers (two C130 aircraft would hold more than that), and they were headed for Tessalit. Kidal today: all the NGO and public owned 4x4s have been stolen, now people are getting robbed of their personal vehicles. One bloke was shot dead outside his home when someone wanted his Jakarta; this lead to public outcry. Cuban doctors have left, fearing for their security. Insécurité à Kidal : LES TRAVAILLEURS PROTESTENT Les forums de Kidal.info || Kidal.info One problem is that a number of elected officials in the region are on the want list of the Alg DRS - or so rumours have it. |
New algerian policy towards its neighbours esp Morocco triggered by events in Libya and then the Rabouni kidnappings
Morocco to join Sahel meetings (Magharebia.com) Islamists are not very successful in the Sahel, as a survey among 48 muslim countries shows that the most positive opinion of the West is found in Senegal, Mali and Mauretania - over 80% approval http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xht.../20/feature-01 http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...bb3a6ef85b.b21 http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/t...on-aqim-threat |
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Here's an excellent article on Al Jazeera's website that gives a good overview of the complex politics & events in the region.
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Ah,
new article from storyteller Jeremy Keenan. Regards Ulrich |
Finally someone taking Keenan down
http://tomathon.com/mphp/2012/01/dea...jeremy-keenan/ Mahgreb Intelligence offers some interesting free articles http://www.maghreb-intelligence.com/...icles-gratuits New splinter group means Aqim is falling apart http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xht...0/reportage-01 |
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Aqim in Kiffa?
Terror fears rock Mauritania town (Magharebia.com) |
AQIM suspect there are plans for a rescue attempt on the hostages and are giving warnings to UK, France, Netherlands and Sweden not to try anything.
The statement was emailed to AFP in Rabat and was publicized by the ANI news agency in Mauritania - an outlet AQIM has relied on before for statements. A few more details here: Qaeda warns against hostage rescue bid | News24 Its coming up to 500 days for taken in Arlit. Longest by far. |
Media keeps quoting there are a total of 12 hostages, by my count there are 13 (4 from Arlit, 2 Hombori, 3 Timbucktu, 3 from Tindouf, and the Italian woman taken in Algeria). What happened to her?
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and two from the north of nigeria, birnin kebbi.
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^ Exactly Gvdaa, I've searched alot for information on the Brit and Italian males taken from North Nigeria, not a mention anywhere.
Normal suspecions would lead us to think that they were taken by locals and sold on, but nobody has claimed responsibility. It was quite a few months ago now. So maybe nothing to do with AQIM at all, more likely local militants in North Nigeria? |
Mauretanians resent the kidnapping of a gendarm
Mauritania rallies behind kidnapped gendarme (Magharebia.com) After the Adel Bagrou kidnapping of a gendarm, Mauretania has established three security zones: -Selibaby-Koubenni in the SW -Oualata - Tichit in the SE -and one in the NE Mauritania takes fresh border control steps (Magharebia.com) Is Aqim falling apart? AQIM under siege (Magharebia.com) "Sahel-Saharan terror groups region are in real trouble. Their leaders are busy with internecine disputes, their resources are drying up and - in the wake of the Arab Spring - their violent methods are seen by citizens as less effective than peaceful struggle. ...the group's focus on abducting foreigners for money may be its undoing." |
Malian army deploys 200 vehicles and four aircraft to the north + personnel, 500 soldiers to Tin Zahouatine, tuaregs watching. Government in contact with the kidnappers.
Otages au Mali : l'armée renforcée dans le Nord, contacts avec les ravisseurs http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=50009 Aqim supply lines broken Algeria, Mauritania break up AQIM supply line (Magharebia.com) "The case began last month when Algerian authorities in Tamanrasset questioned four men about stealing cars from oil companies and other businesses in Illizi, Ouargla and Ghardaia and Tamanrasset. The suspects allegedly admitted to smuggling at least 16 automobiles to the northern Mali desert, Algerian daily El Khabar reported on December 31st. What makes the case different is that the four alleged car thieves were also charged with supporting terrorist groups." Article goes on suggesting a Toyota FJ55 is worth €40000 in T'tou which sounds a bit high IMO.... A look inside Aqim Mauritanian prisoner gives insights into the terror group. Aqim warning pdf Aqim warns the governments of Sweden, Holland, France and England from any rescue attempts. |
Mokhtar Belmokhtar sentenced to death
Mokhtar Belmokhtar has been sentenced to death by Algerian courts for behaving badly. He has twice been sentenced to life in prisonment and Algeria has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 1993. The sentence was handed down in absentia so not much has changed really.
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Abducted Mauritania Police - Al Qaeda issue demands
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Here's a rundown on all foreigners held hostage around Africa at this moment
FACTBOX-Foreigners kidnapped in Africa - AlertNet Reuter's analysis suggesting abruptly ending Qhadafi's rule wasn't a good idea Sahel scrambles to avert slide "into hell" "Chadian General Adoum Ngare Hassan told a security conference in Morocco at the weekend that if Maghreb states span out of control their neighbors could face "a descent into hell". The general, responsible for protecting Chad's borders with Niger, Libya and Sudan, suggested the West bore much of the responsibility for regional disarray through its support for the revolt in Libya, a country now risking "general collapse". While there is agreement in the international community on the urgent need to help Sahelian states with security, in practice it is proving very hard, analysts and diplomats say. The principal reason is a long-standing rift between Arab Maghreb neighbors Algeria and Morocco, a fact that frustrates many in the region because by common consent these two countries are best qualified to help their weaker southern neighbors. Both countries are heavyweight intelligence and military powers, but they are also rivals, and an impasse in relations means they do not operate the sort of joint security cooperation in their Saharan backyard that could really make a difference. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Jean-Francois Daguzan of France's Foundation for Strategic Research told Reuters: "If there is no Algerian-Moroccan agreement on the security of the Sahel, there cannot be true security, simply because the terrorists will use this fundamental fault. It's a major problem."" Therefore the ongoing efforts to resolve the Algerian-Moroccan conflict, at the heart of which is the WS impasse. |
I have been wondering when AQIM would be implicated in the Taureg rebellion in Mali. Following the apparent success of the rebellion over the last few days (taking 5 towns in a few days - see Tuaregs attack 5th town in Mali | News24)
the Malian government is now complaining about the involvement of AQIM on the Taureg side. Mali slams Qaeda as rebels launch attacks | News24 Its not much of a surprise and some saw this coming many years ago. Mali has never seemed properly bothered by AQIM. If they perceive a Taureg/AQIM aliance, it might be one of the few things that get them to dedicate the resources needed to combat AQIM. If the Tauregs and AQIM succeed in N.Mali, then there is only a bit of Chad across that latitude left for AQIM affiliates to deal with. That strip would cover many countries and even more longitudes - even if there isn't one mastermind behind the project. From the perspective of Saharan travel, the good thing is that it will now be harder for Mali to ignore AQIM. But I can see that AQIM and the Tauregs have several reasons to be allies and, on balance, I think this latest insurgency in Mali is taking us further away from an easy return to the desert, even if viewed a year or more into the future. |
What needs to be clarified is if there is a growing jihadism within the touaregs.
Nord-Mali : qui sont les rebelles du MNLA ? There is the 'touareg islamiste' Abdelkrim - with his own katibah - he is a cousin of rebellion leader Ag Ghali. The big question is where Ag Ghaly is at - ideologically. Until that is clear I would like to think that touaregs are by nature and tradition anti-fundamentalist, meaning tolerant and pragmatic. If they form a temporary strategic alliance with Aqim, well maybe. In the long run, they won't co-habit well. From Bamako we can only expect propaganda. There is an obvious (to me) 'solution' - the next malian president should elect a touareg as governor for Kidal region, like Issofou did for Agadez in Niger. Then the touaregs can fight it out between themselves. Problem 'solved'! But one wonders if Bamako will ever have the guts to do that. Of course I could be totally wrong about all of this. |
first we take Lere, then we take...
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The news24 report mentions Tuareg have attacked Lere - that is quite a way SW of Timbuktu, iirc... I like to think AQIM don't have much chance catching on in north Chad. It was the Tubu to caught and handed over El Para after all (or so it was said) - even if that was nearly 9 years ago. Just getting to that bit in this book which was mentioned here a few months back. Ch |
Mokkadem isn't exactly a truth seeker, but it may be a good read.
Anybody familiar with both tuaregs and tubu care to tell if they share many traits? I guess the touaregs will raise hell for a while and then look to negotiate. Clearly they can move freely and attack from Mauretania to Niger. Wonder if either side is strong enough to actually hold the region? If the tuaregs, then for how long? Where will they get money and supplies from? good to have u back cs |
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Not Good news - Algeria Freezes military support to Mali
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El Para interview in Tibesti
No real news value this, but a well-shot French film posted recently about the journey across the Tenere to make the (Paris Match?) interview with El Para in his Tibesti cave back in 2004 (before AQIM, even).
I presume it was on French TV years ago, but even if you don't speak French you can get the gist. Couldn't make a direct link but it's halfway down this page. It lasts 30 mins and the audio comes in after a minute 15. Ch |
Security offensives trigger AQIM rift (Magharebia.com)
Mauritanian president rates Sahel security (Magharebia.com) AQIM leader thought to have been killed in Mali border skirmish http://fr.elkhabar.com/?Un-emir-terr...abattu-dans-un Large arms cache found south of In Amenas; 30 smuggling corridors blocked by Alg army http://www.elwatan.com//une/in-amena...159729_108.php |
Slate Afrique has some new and old info on kidnappings
AQMI et ses rançons à 100 millions d'euros | Slate Afrique AQMI, multinationale de l'enlèvement | Slate Afrique more links in the articles + two French hostages nearly made an escape http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/mon...s_1088231.html |
Suicide attack against gendarmerie in Tamanrasset
Un kamicaze fonce sur le siège du grouppement de la gendarmerie de Tahaggart à Tamanarasset: 23 bessés dont trois grièvement - Actualité - El Watan Qui est derrière l’attentat de Tamanrasset ? - Actualité - El Watan bombers were a sahraoui (from Western Sahara) and and an azawadi (from north Mali) وكالة نواكشوط للأنباء::ونا:: surprisingly claimed by the new acronym and alleged splinter group MUJWA Big Happenings in a Big Desert � al-Wasat – الوسط also going into the release of hostages, the Mauretanian gendarme and Italian Urru. |
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And the striking thing about DTH's posting above relating to the German hostage is that the hostage was taken in Northern Nigeria but the demands are coming from AQIM. We have speculated about links with N.Nigeria and AQIM before on the STH forum.
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Agreed Richard.
I read a report about the Brit and Italian recently killed in the hostage raid. The authorities said they had been held captive in Burkina Faso and Niger as well as northern Nigeria. I wonder if that was with the aid of AQIM and using their safe houses. |
AQIM or just bandits?
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Or just displaying customary organisational skills... ?
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Army doesnt have a sat phone?
AQIM was never operational east of Algeria afaik. |
Here are a few more details on the Nigeria kidnapping of the German in January - see DTH's postings earlier:
German kidnap - Nigeria detains 5 Qaedas | News24 Mauritanian citizen linked to AQIM is involved. My fear is of an AQIM axis running from Mauri to Nigeria across the southern Sahara. It is a ridiculously wide net with pretty negative consequences for travel. |
AQIM video by YouTube with a statement from the captured German in german and english:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-PUtKAwazY Greetings Ulrich |
This is a decisive moment
The North have fallen into the hands of touareg rebels. The last city to fall was Timbuktu, which was taken by MNLA yesterday, the Malian flag lowered and the Azawad hoisted.
Then they were chased out to the airport by Iyad Ag Ghaly and Ansar Din, who replaced the flag with their own black islamist cloth. Like Gao the town has been looted by militia men and civilians. Today three of the main Aqmi leaders, Abou Zéid, Mokhtar Ben Mokhtar and Yahya Abou Al-Hammam met with Ag Ghaly at the army camp. While MNLA reportedly has surrounded the city and put an ultimatum to Ag Ghaly to disarm, or be disarmed. According to Maurice Freund, MNLA will have the support of Mauretania. Still, he didn't sound too optimistic. The outcome of this will to a great extent determine the future of travel in the region. Mali: trois des principaux chefs d'Aqmi � Tombouctou Toumast Press | L’info du peuple Tamasheq vue par des Tamasheq Mouvement National de Liberation de l'Azawad |
CORRECTED-UPDATE 2-Mali junta defies deadline for handing over power | News by Country | Reuters
"A military source said rebels on Tuesday pushed further to the town of Douentza - at the southern extremity of the Azawad territory they see as rightfully theirs. While the source said the regular army was posted outside the regional centre of Mopti to prevent them going any further, one junior officer said on condition of anonymity that some soldiers there were already taking off their uniform". If MNLA are pushing towards Douentza, they're not far from Sevare/Mopti - lets hope none of the AQIM bunch follow. Bad times for Mali, fingers crossed. |
MNLA stops military action
Yesterday evening MNLA announced on its website Mouvement National de Liberation de l'Azawad to stop all military action as of today (midnight). They seem to have reached the limits, and more or less hold control of the region they consider Azawad territory.
Which leaves them to deal with the Ansar Al-Din and AQIM guys in Timbuktu. Le MNLA annonce la fin des opérations militaires | L'Afrique en chemin |
There is too much desinformation going at the moment, most of it from journalists who should know better, about the connections between AQIM and touaregs, calling touaregs jihadists and drug smugglers, or "armed thugs of Qadhafi" at the moment.
Reuter's journalist in Bamako wrote of "the highway between Gao and Kidal" which makes one realize how little these people know of the territory and the peoples they are covering. And so, they are relaying the propaganda they have been spoonfed for years by the Mali government. Perhaps that will come to a halt now, as some in the west are realizing that this is a moment to counterattack the spread of jihadism. And so, France Juppé are planning intervention with Mauretania, and Africom with Mauretania/Burkina as we speak. According to those who know, Ansar al-Din, the islamists of Iyad Ag Ghaly number at most 400. Then there are the other fractions of Aqim and the newly started MUJWA comprised of mostly Mauretanians and Malians. But the MNLA are around 4000. How it will pan out, who knows. Gains of Mali's Tuareg rebels appear permanent, analysts say - latimes.com MNLA have taken the territory and Keenan says that Mali is now permanently partitioned, so that is that then. Remains for them to keep good their promise of going after AQIM next. Debat Moussa Ag Assarid sur France 24 - 4 Avril 2012 - YouTube http://africanarguments.org/2012/04/...ce-whitehouse/ |
British hotel owners evacuated Timbuktu
British couple who own Timbuktu hostel forced to flee Mali after Al-Qaeda fighters overthrow country's government | Mail Online
Probably the last westerners to leave town, they were escorted out since threat of being kidnapped was acute. They bought the hotel Alafia in 2010. Boogie man Iyad Ag Ghaly has introduced sharia in town and is reportedly chopping off hands off looters as we speak. |
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I wonder what the flag looks like??
Azawad independance is declared:-
Mali rebels declare ‘Azawad’ independence - FT.com Sure makes things complicated when the legit government has undergone a coup. |
Very recent video taken in Timbuktu since islamists arrived......annoying advert at the beginning!
Mali Islamists strengthen hold on Timbuktu |
MNLA heading for a clash with Islamist extremists?
Below source mentions that AQMI could be overplaying its hand resulting in possibly being attacked by MNLA at all positions they hold in the region.
Seems to me, MNLA could use some backup in their struggle from both African as Western countries however there are no signs that any are going to support their cause at this point. Les rebelles touareg en guerre contre Al Qaida au Maghreb islamique ? | L'Afrique en chemin |
Very good analysis of what's been going on between MNLA and Ansar Dine before and since their take over in the north of Mali.
http://thewasat.wordpress.com/2012/0...flies-in-mali/ |
Algeria to rescue their diplomats?
Mali : les forces spéciales Algériennes se préparent à intervenir - NessNews |
Belmokhtar seen in Gao friday/saturday:
Mali: présence à Gao de Mokhtar Belmokhtar, un des chefs d’Aqmi | MaliActu |
Algerian diplomats reportedly freed sunday morning:
Urgent : Mali : Les diplomates algériens libérés - Actualité - El Watan |
El Watan reporting not always reliable, but always interesting:
"Yesterday, whole columns of members and close to al Qaeda have left the town of Kidal, others settled in Gao, have started from yesterday. All these terrorists were heading to the region Taoudenni, northwest of Mali, near the border with Mauritania. The area is known to be their stronghold long enough, we are told". Les chefs du MNLA optimistes : «Nous attendons le retour des otages» - International - El Watan |
Serious equipment arrives in Timbuktu with conflict in the making
Al Jazeera Youtube video from Timbuktu |
The escalation evident in nomadic's posting is bad news for Mali desert travel. The kit shown, such as the APC, is a big step towards conventional engagement rather than hit and run. To me it indicates that it will be some time till the place returns to normal. What is interesting from the youtube clip is the lack of explicit reference to AQIM.
The Malian government had this coming. For 10 years they have let this issue directly fester. Press is quick to blame the outfall from Libya but the truth is the Malian officials did nothing about the north and allowed free reign there. Its no surprise really. |
The new Mali interim president - Dioncounda Traore;
"We will never negotiate the partition of Mali," "We prefer peace, but if war is the only way out, we will wage it," Interim Mali leader promises vote, anti-rebel fight Not good.... |
round-up
The last three AQIM kidnappings in the Sahara have taken place in Mali (assuming the April 2012 event was AQIM). Where once Mali seemed to be exempt from kidnappings, by way of some agreement between AQIM and the Malian Government, that agreement has clearly folded alongside the government control of the desert in Mali.
So far it seems that AQIM have more room to roam in the desert than before given the withdrawal of government troops from their patch following the Taureg uprising. The open question for westerners going to the Sahara is whether AQIM are now going to operate mainly in N Mali. If so, it would imply other parts of the Sahara are safer. From the perspective of the Taureg rebels, if it is as simple as there being one voice which represents them - and it isn't that simple - the open question seems to be what the Taureg view on AQIM is. There were reports of AQIM packing off to W Mali. From a Taureg perspective this makes some sense because it won't help the Taureg case when viewed outside of Mali to be seen to be aligning with AQIM. Taking a broader view, the interesting thing to me is that every geopolitical move in the Sahara seems somehow to favour AQIM. Why is this? It can only be because their strategy is as smart as it is flexible. They respond fast and make the most of every chance. Countries and governments can't react in this way. For example, when word of the Libyan chaos reached AQIM, I imagine they sat round the fire for a couple of nights before sending off a dozen or so with a few million euros to see what they could find in the Libyan supermarkets. Within a week they were onsite bidding for kit. A government cannot react to analogous opportunities that fast or that flexibly. Institutions get bogged down with protocol, representation, policy, precedent - dare I say democracy. By the time they have a decision, which is usually a horrible compromise, things have moved on. AQIM is like a small platoon of special forces. The organisations trying to combat AQIM are like a conscripted army. So where are we in the Sahara at the moment safety-wise when it comes to kidnapping? Clearly there is a focus on Mali. An optimistic view is that other regions (Algeria and Mauri) are better off now. AQIM get what they want in Mali and are pre-occupied with events inside the Malian political borders. Ransoms are slow and hostages are held for record lengths. AQIM has the potential to further carve out its niche but this is happening inside Mali only at the moment. A pessimistic view is that AQIM have even more space in N Mali to operate and are linking across the Sahel to Nigeria. They might throw in the occasional op in Algeria and Mauri to show their worth. It doesn't take much to scare off the tourist trade across an enormous swathe of the Sahara. AQIM can't go anywhere and with their wealth, they are unlikely to dissolve. There is no prospect of a military defeat and in any case that is less likely now with the Libyan kit AQIM has. Its hard to see how AQIM could go away. My view of Saharan travel? There is scope in Sudan and Egypt (which accounts now for a lot of the STF postings). Mali is off. No travellers go to the desert in Niger as far as I can tell. A few carefully scoped trips happen in Mauri and these are exactly the way to do these trips. Chad is still looking OK. Algeria has slowed down hugely to a tiny trickle. Libya has new potential particularly with trans-Sahara trips to Chad - but those are not for the inexperienced. Its the hot season now anyway. Travel wouldn't resume until November even in a good year. So there are 6 or so months to see what happens in Mali and Libya and to hope that Chad holds out. |
So Chad or Mauretania it is :)
The tuareg take-over in Mali unleashed all sorts of bearded youth with Kalashnikovs, jihadists coming from all countries east and west. Reports from Gao of a large group of Nigerians saying they are Boko Harum. I don't think the tuareg-led rebellion movement MNLA anticipated this, at least not the extent of it. And they certainly didn't imagine that one of their own leaders Iyad Ag Ghaly would come out as a new-born hard core islamist tieing up with Aqim and demanding sharia not only in Azawad but all of Mali (and therefore being opposed to independence). He did appoint the Aqim leader as new governor of Timbuktu. Totally crazy. AQIM leader named Timbuktu governor (Magharebia.com) Now MNLA has promised to eradicate all foreign armed individuals from their territory, and disarm the rest. But they show reluctance to do so - and are playing a game where they use Aqim to get leverage for support. "Why should we have to do this alone?" Fighting jihadists will be much harder than running out the malian army. I think the latest tally is 22 people kidnapped. One Brit/SA, one Dutch, one Swede, six French, seven Algerians, one German, two Italian, two Spanish and the latest one Swiss lady, the last westerner in TB2. And noone is looking to pay a ransom. Sarkozy is desperate for some progress before elections; he may cut a deal with MNLA? Mauretania was asked yesterday to intervene by a Mali envoy, but they would probably only do that in cooperation with MNLA - how would Bamako fancy that? (The MNLA have their command centers in Paris and Nouakchott). On top of it all there was a coup d'etat in Bamako and noone knows how that will develop. South Libya there is fighting between tobou and arabs. Tobou demands for independence; that would spill over into Chad and Niger as well. Perhaps the maps will be re-written quite a bit in the coming decade? Interesting times ahead. Ideally, MNLA will hold their word and take control of their desert, chasing Aqim back into Algeria and other neighbouring countries. With some assistance from Mauretania and, perhaps, French and US lurking in the background. Worst case, north of Mali will be like Afghanistan, with jihadism spreading in all directions. edit: the sad state of the Malian army Mali : quelle armée pour la reconquête du Nord ? | Jeuneafrique For some entertainment, here's Jeremy Keenan's take on it all: Algerian DRS is behind it all, including the purported beheading of Malian soldiers at Aguelhoc in March. With Us & UK backup, of course. They were all training for the job at the DRS led AQIM training camp in Tassili n'Ajjer Menas Associates: Algerian troops in Mali (anyone seen this camp on the plateau?). |
Account of a German woman who escaped from Timbuktu very recently:
" They put indigo on my skin for me to look less white. I was dressed in traditional clothing. I blacked hair, put on sunglasses and then we left in the desert. I did not know where we were going, how long we would wait. We stayed there for an hour then we went to another place and then when they were assured it was safe for me to go to the airport, they have taken me there. I stayed at the airport in Timbuktu a night and Sunday morning we left with two vehicles in the desert. We even changed cars, we went through Nianfounké, Lere and finally we arrived at the Mauritanian border where I was given to the authorities. Well, there it was over . " Mali : plusieurs Occidentaux exfiltrés de Tombouctou pour échapper aux rapts - Mali - RFI |
The Malian army going in for an offense in the North seems like a total disaster to me and drains country resources even more.
Maybe let the area soak for a while in the complexities of tribalism mixed jihad dudes and bandits. Won't be long for internal struggles to start to form a new order. Anyone can hold a gun, but building a tribal nation is something completely different. Anyhow, visibility of the various groups involved has increased tremendously. They have a geo-position to defend making them much more vulnerable and in need for supplies of all sorts. Has to come from somewhere... Nevertheless, it's a sad development. But it just may be inevitable - a struggle that simply has to be fought out. |
AQIM asking for release of prisoners rather than a ransom for the 2 French taken in Hombori, according to this report:
Les familles des deux otages français au Mali vont visionner une vidéo envoyée par les ravisseurs - Le Nouvel Observateur |
Mauritania stepping up military action along the Mali border
Mauritanian troops stage border drills (Magharebia.com) |
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Probably a load of hot air, but Belmokhtar said to have been killed in a skirmish with MNLA.
Algerian Qaeda commander believed killed in Mali | Reuters |
Few people have been dead as many times as mr Belmokhtar. ;)
And Ennahar is notoriously unreliable. Clashes in Gao were between MNLA and MUJAO the new bearded acronym. They are composed mainly by by telemsi arabs from north of Gao. Islamists surprised many by trying to not only to take control of TB2 but actually trying to govern. Their luck may (hopefully) be running out Ransom payments fuel al-Qaeda expansion (Magharebia.com) |
AFP report on the release of 3 Algerian hostages from the 7 taken in Gao in April with a bit of back-story.
Also Aljazeera reporting on the continued destruction of antiquities in Timbuktu by the AQIM linked Ansar Dine. |
All 7 Algerians now freed according to Reuters:
UPDATE 2-Algerian diplomats freed in north Mali -sources | News by Country | Reuters |
All seven diplomats are free now, according to Algerian media - but total silence from the government. Did they pay a ransom?
(If you believe Jeremy Keenan, it was an all DRS affair, with the kidnappers, kidnappees and mediators all being DRS agents. In which case a phone call could have resolved the situation?) Jamestown hasn't given up on the idea that MBM actually died in Gao The Jamestown Foundation: BRIEFS The Jamestown Foundation: Mokhtar Belmokhtar: The Algerian Jihads Southern Amir Today came first signs that MNLA are ready to give up their call for independence, in exchange for foreign support. And there are reports that Algeria is supporting both sides (Ansar Dine and MNLA). Simultaneously. Pistes from Gao have been mined, which should discourage tourism even if the situation improves. :( I hope we can at least go to Niger soon. |
So with the good news of the Tindouf Three released, that leaves 9 European hostages still in Mali: the French Ariva Four coming on for nearly two years, the two French 'spies' taken in Hombori last November and the three tourists (Brit/RSA, Dutch and Swede) grabbed in Timbuktu a day later.
I lose track - was MUJAO who took Tindouf Three set up by MBM? Either way I wonder if his latest death has anything to do with the them being released. Ch |
There was a time when it wasn't that difficult to understand (and sometimes even anticipate) what was going on with regards to the AQIM related kidnapping in the Sahara. The last two or three months has seen such a change in the balance of power and opportunity in the Sahara that it is now much more difficult to read the situation.
One thing which is in the favour of independent Saharan travellers at the moment is that AQIM must be pretty busy with business in Mali now. Whereas they once enjoyed a 'simple' and lucrative life of kidnapping, drug running and banditry, now days they have much more at stake - including the possibility of running, in effect, a new state. Their human resources will be stretched thin as a result. Perhaps we could be as optimisitc as to suggest that it is a little safer eslewhere - notably in Algeria and Mauri? |
I hope you're right about Mauri Richard. Factors that make me think it might be safer now (which might be wishful thinking on my part):
1. Out of all the Saharan/Sahelian nations, Mauri seems to be the only one actively trying to give AQIM a bloody nose 2. Reports of Belmokhtar being killed (maybe pure fantasy), but wasn't Mauri his territory? 3. Aziz recently sponsored that tourist trip to fly into Mauri to try and prove the country is okay to travel in, plus the plentiful checkpoints around the country. 4. With northern Mali in such disarray, AQIM members that were in Mauri have shifted east towards more 'secure' lands where they have alot more freedom to operate. |
Perhaps it will implode but at the moment there is reported a large inflow to Gao of new recruits, where they are organizing a new katiba led by black Africans.
News Republic And if the fears that jihadism would form a belt all across Sahara/Sahel were exaggerated, they are now active from Mauri all the way to south Niger. Perhaps hope lies in that it must get worse before it can get better - that eventually Algeria will be forced into some kind of action, or at least stop blocking it (or supporting jihadism, as some will have it). |
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