Military Zone, Mauritania
 

I received this update today:

The Ministry of Defence declared on 12 July the establishment of an indefinite military exclusion zone in the country's northeast, citing security reasons. The zone extends from Ain Be Tili (Tiris Zemmour region) in the northwest to Dahr Tichit (Tagant region) in the southwest to Mauritania's eastern borders with Algeria, Mali and Western Sahara (see map). The authorities have said that any civilians found in or entering the area will be treated as a military target. Members should avoid all travel to the zone.

This decision to impose an exclusion zone has been taken in response to ongoing insecurity in the area, primarily the proliferation of militant groups involved in kidnapping and smuggling. As part of efforts to combat this activity, the authorities have struggled to distinguish between civilians and militants; this measure is being presented as an effort to better identify and intercept militants.

Attachment 19843

Interesting, the southern area covers what was being talked about whilst I was in Mauri in December & advised by former govt. work colleagues not to go that way ... so finally the official advice has been changed!

No, the red zone has been there for a while https://assets.publishing.service.go...tania_jpeg.jpg
but there hasnt been any incidents in Mauretania for years now.

Wouldn't be anyone but smugglers in the new military zone I reckon
certianly no tourists.

Hi Priffe,

Yep, the British FCO have had much of the East as red zone for ages now.

The map in my original post concerns a zone the Mauri government has officially declared as a 'military exclusion zone'. So even if you decided to ignore the FCO advice and head to the far north/far east it sounds like you'll struggle to get there without being turned back by the authorities :(

I am happy if I can go to Tichit and Oualata which appears to be in the pink :)

Also happy to be turned around rather then being gunned down.

When the day comes, the gendarmes will decide where we can go.

Priffe, not to be rude, but you said otherwise about my post regarding Ayoun in this thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ra-leone-92221 I believe ... hence my comment here

That was regarding going to Mali over Ayoun el Atrous
and I have never been turned back on that route.
Nor have I heard of anyone else being turned back. It is the major road to Bamako with lots of traffic. The only road.

Nema with the refugee camps and closeness to Mali could be a stretch. But next trip I will make sure to see Tichit and hopefully Oualata. If the gendarmes will let me.

Yes, which was the route I was taking before I was told that I would be turned back by the military & two Polish guys were brought back too ...

Perhaps there was an incident at that time. But I havent heard of any.

I would be more worried on the Malian side, where obviously anything can happen.

The Maure gendarmes are pretty good these days, and they dont fool around so one should listen to what they say.