Offensive in Mali

Correct: drugs and even cigarettes smugglers. That's how they started getting money for weapons, but after the war in Lybia, all they had to do was to pick up (no play on word here) left overs and hide those in the desert.

 

I'd call the fall of Egypt and Libya in a single year "winning." The Muslim Brotherhood (radical Islamists) are gaining ascendancy in both those countries. Expect Syria to fall in 2013, and then Afghanistan within months of the US withdrawal. All the nations in the region are under threat.

It's hard to feel sympathy for the current crop of dictators and corrupt monarchies, but at least they aren't openly our enemies. Yet, that very corruption and repression make it difficult to openly support them when the structure begins to collapse.

 

I am afraid if the French don't act in Mali, they might soon have to be fighting them in Paris and in the rest of France.

 

I wouldn't. Indeed in some ways it was a huge defeat for them. At least the violent portion of radical Islam had been attacking those countries for years with no results. A popular uprisng however removed them in rather short order.

It's not clear just how radical the Brotherhood is anymore especially those gaining power. Nor is it clear they can hand on to it.

Indeed Syria will almost assurdly fall in 2013 but given their support to Islamic terrorist it's not at all clear that's a victory for the latter. Certainly the radicals will be a player there for some time but again it's not clear who will win in the end. As for Afghanistan in some ways there is little to fall. Afghanistan has never really been a country. In any case there's not much support for the radicals there from what I read.

But the threat from Islamic radical terrorist has decreased since the turn of the century. In some cases dramatically. Indeed the only places where it is flurishing is where chaos seams to be the rule. Mali is a case in point and I expect that to decrease dramatically with the French taking an active hand.

It's hard to feel sympathy for the current crop of dictators and corrupt monarchies, but at least they aren't openly our enemies. Yet, that very corruption and repression make it difficult to openly support them when the structure begins to collapse.[/QUOTE]

 

I don't know how to respond to that... The Muslim Brotherhood IS radical Islam. These may have been "popular uprisings" but they were violent uprisings, as is the current situation in Syria, and Algeria for that matter. These people are not seeking peace, democracy and a microwave oven in every kitchen. They are seeking a theocracy ruled by Sharia Law, the enslavement of women, the persecution of minority religions (the Copts) and so on.

 

[h=5]The Red Cross just knocked on my door today and asked if I could contribute towards the floods in Pakistan. I said I'd love to, but my garden hose only reaches the driveway.[/h]

 

It already happened last year with the Toulouse murders. All western nations are aimed .

 

I think this will turn out to be one of them "unwinnable" conflicts...

As long as there is one of them extremist chappies alive, they will fight...

But, I salute the French for trying!

Kind regards,

Jos

 

This time the population is against the insurgeants and the French have no intention to stay, they are training a mulitinational African army to replace them asap. They are not considered as an occupying belligerant but as liberators, so unless the insurgeants play really smart, they are in trouble.

 

Is it? At one point it pretty clearly was. Now? At least from there public pronouncements it's very much dependent on how you define it. Certainly they are not promoting violence and especially external violence to the level that Al Queda and company are.

The violence has varied significantly but most started out relatively peaceful until or unless the government resorted to violence.

Some of them are but the evidence is most of the people involved are not. Now whether or not that majority can hold sway over the radicals is an open question. Certainly in the case of Al Qaeda and it's affiliates they have been unable to hold on to even what limited power they have obtained so far.

 

I just saw pictures of the international Bamako airport and saw there are now Luftwaffe cargos and Canadian ones helping too.

The Malian and French army said to have captured Djibali today . Witnesses say the Islamists have abandonned the city after several of the pick up vehicles were burnt by the French airforce.

 

Apparently Belgium is also sending C-130's and some troops.

Can't see this thing ending well though... as soon as the international troops turn their back, them extremist chappies will be back, cutting off hands & feet like nothing happened.

Kind regards,

Jos

 

Regarding help and support.

This is what I can put together at this point :

France : Ground troops air strikes, special forces , logisitcs.
U.S. logistics, transport; supplies drones , special forces operating in the desert
UK, Germany, Canada : logisitics tranport
Belgium , Danemark , logistics (+ transport?)
Russia : promised military aid (Antonov 124).

Sorry if I missed some countries who help and are not mentionned in the sources I consulted.



Africa : 8 countries. Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Séenegal, Niger, Guinea, Ghana Burkina Faso,Tchad announced their c to the Misma coalition . 5500 men are eventually going to replace the French in liberated zones.


Support and approval from the E.U. and the U.N.


On the Front line: Konna was liberated Friday

 

A new update on the strategy page. Sounds like there's quite a bit of help being offered.
Mali: Terrorists Flee French Precision
Which of course is not making the logistics aspect easier.

 

Well a lot of help has been "offered", but no western nation has sent troops at this point . There was a funny drawing in the French press the other day showing Angela Merkel offering a barrel of Schnapps. (can't find the picture, but I will try to get it for you)

On the field: a convoy of 250 armored Vehicles has left Bamako Thursday and is aiming Goa and eventually Tombuctoo.
The Islamists have blown up the large bridge over the Niger River near to delay the French . The airstrikes are carried on and some destroyed target were shown on TV the other day. I really use the conditional when mentionning the media because they say "A" one day and "B" the other day. For instance Djibali which is now in French hands had been said to have fallen days before it was even attacked. Everything seems to be quite secret when compared to the mediatic hammering about the Gulf wars. Liberated areas are handed over to the Malians and other African solidiers as soon as the zones are secured.
There are rumors of ethnic cleansing by the Malian army who are now chasing innocentTouaregs in liberated areas just because they are arabs without checking their political inclinations.

 

Brits are reporting we have some of our Hereford boys in theatre. Don't know if true..We do though have a sentinal int aircraft from Waddington there too now.

 

I suppose there are some boys from several nationalities for the logistics at Bamako int'l airport.


Latest news: Just saw on the news that the French Special Forces have taken the Gao airport.
Aircrafts with reinforcements are now landing there. Downtown is only 2km away and as soon as the bulk of the army arrives, it will launch an offensive to conquer the city after a 9 month occupation.
I saw some destroyed vehicles around the airport (airstrikes) and it has been looted by Islamists .
The Official Mayor arrived in a French transport aircraft .

 

Just a quick overview of the Sentinal, only one sent but the support it offers punches above its weight.

RAF Sentinel Quick Look | Think Defence

 

Some sources claim Goa is now liberated.

 

The Unesco Heritage city Tombuctoo was liberated today after 250 French paratroopers were dropped north of the city while the ground troops came from the south. The Islamists have fled but booby traps were found and may still be found. Others are said to hide among the population and may cause some bombings.