“This is the final phase of the process since it is in that massif [the Ifoghas mountains] that AQIM forces have probably regrouped. Our Chadian friends launched an attack yesterday which was very harsh with significant loss of life. I want to praise what the Chadians are doing.”
—French President Francois Hollande • Speaking on his nation’s military collaboration, along with African forces, against al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a militant group in Mali now waging a weakening insurgency in the country’s far north. The group had claimed control of broad swaths of northern Mali in 2012, causing the government to request international military help, which Hollande and France (Mali was a French colony until 1960) have provided in the form of 4,000 soldiers deployed. And lest you think there’s a military operation of this sort the United States isn’t involved in, predator drones have been offered to the effort as well, which U.S. officials claim will be used to glean deployment information. source
Mali News: US drones join the war | Independent News
kevingilmour.net
Mali News: Soon after, the French militant forces were ordered to intervene but despite French air strikes the rebels continue to advance.
Now, other countries are considering involvement in the turf war that has been going on for months.
Nii Akuettehm, founder of Democracy and Conflict Research Institute, joins us to take a deeper look at the situation in Mali.
Armed DronesUS defence officials would not discuss whether the United States has armed drone aircraft over Mali.
Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, who spoke to reporters on his plane en route to Portugal for a week long trip Europe, said that the chaos in Mali was of deep concern to the administration and praised the French for their actions.
He also said “ what we have promised them is that we would work with them, to cooperate with them, to provide whatever assistance we can to try to help them in that effort.”
Leon Panetta said that even though Mali is far from the United States, the Obama administration was deeply worried about extremist groups there, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM.
“We’re concerned that any time Al Qaeda establishes a base of operations, while they might not have any immediate plans for attacks in the United States and in Europe, that ultimately that still remains their objective,” he said.
For that reason, Mr. Panetta said, “we have to take steps now to make sure that AQIM does not get that kind of traction.”
Mali News: France says campaign will last matter of weeks
kevingilmour.netFrance says Mali campaign will last matter of weeks and France’s involvement in the campaign against Islamist rebels will be short term.
Mali ConflictOn Sunday, French war planes bombed the town of Gao in eastern Mali, extending their raids deep into rebel territory.
France’s military has been in action against Islamist militants in Mali since Friday, helping government forces recapture the central town of Konna.
France has called a meeting of the UN Security Council on Mali for Monday.
Speaking to French media, Mr Fabius rejected any parallel with the protracted Western mission in Afghanistan.
“Later on, we can come as back-up, but we have no intention of staying forever,” he said.
Mr Fabius said that had France not intervened, there was a risk that the Islamists could have advanced as far as the capital, Bamako, with “appalling consequences”
The French intervention had succeeded in stopping their advance towards the south, he added.
A Malian army officer said on Saturday he believed more than 100 militants had been killed.
Since the start of the French intervention on Friday, at least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have died.
Mali News: War on Mali & What you Should Know!
kevingilmour.net
The French government has stated that: it would send 2,500 troops to support the Mali government soldiers in the conflict against Islamist rebels. France has already deployed around 750 troops to Mali, and French carriers arrived in Bamako on Tuesday morning, We will continue the deployment of forces on the ground and in the air, We have one goal. To ensure that when we leave, when we end our intervention, Mali is safe, has legitimate authorities, an electoral process and there are no more terrorists threatening its territory. [1]
Mali NewsSo this is the official narrative of France and those who support it. And of course this is what is widely reported by the mainstream media.
France is supported by other NATO members. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta confirmed that the US was providing intelligence to French forces in Mali. [2] Canada, Belgium, Denmark and Germany have also publicly backed the French incursion, pledging logistical support in the crackdown on the rebels. [3]
If we are to believe this narrative we are misled again about the real reasons.
What you Should KnowA look at Mali’s natural resources reveals what this is really about.
What's this I hear about Mali?
by Alexis (Texas)
A good political cartoon never hurt anyone. Recently, African news has been focused on the conflict in Mali. The direct actions of the French, the indirect of the U.S., and those of the Islamist group are unfolding faster than a good book. As good international affairs students, staying on top of this issue is a way to learn outside of the classroom. It provides a real scenario to analyze the state, opposition and intervention. What do you think? What are the French really up against? What are the steps that should be taken moving forward?
More information on Mali:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/mali/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21265752
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/mali-french-defense-minister-says-troop-pullout-to-start-within-weeks-despite-new-challenges/2013/02/20/b07232fc-7b49-11e2-9c27-fdd594ea6286_story.html
