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Islamist activity in the Sahara in relation to travel security Islamist activity in the Sahara in relation to travel security
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #331  
Old 20 Dec 2011
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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:
Turning to the fight against terrorism, Mr Martyn Roper said, "Now the elements of AQIM is active in the south, particularly in the Sahel and northern Mali, a territory not controlled by a State. Algeria is the only country able to play an important role in the fight against terrorist groups." Moreover, he continues, "a meeting will be held in the UK between those responsible for the defense of our country, as part of the agreement of 2009, to discuss the security issue when the situation will be addressed in the Sahel". [source]
Can't get to the Google link for Kidal - here's another:
Algerian troops enter Mali to fight al-Qaeda - News - Mail & Guardian Online

Ch
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  #332  
Old 21 Dec 2011
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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.
Last edited by priffe; 21 Dec 2011 at 18:50.
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  #333  
Old 22 Dec 2011
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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
Last edited by priffe; 24 Dec 2011 at 11:21.
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  #334  
Old 23 Dec 2011
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Mauritanian policeman kidnapped near Mali border | News by Country | Reuters
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  #335  
Old 3 Jan 2012
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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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  #336  
Old 4 Jan 2012
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Ah,

new article from storyteller Jeremy Keenan.

Regards

Ulrich
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  #337  
Old 5 Jan 2012
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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
Last edited by priffe; 5 Jan 2012 at 13:59.
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  #338  
Old 5 Jan 2012
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Army barracks attacked in Mali, Al-Qaeda suspected | IndepthAfrica
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  #339  
Old 5 Jan 2012
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Aqim in Kiffa?
Terror fears rock Mauritania town (Magharebia.com)
Last edited by priffe; 7 Jan 2012 at 18:53.
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  #340  
Old 12 Jan 2012
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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.
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  #341  
Old 13 Jan 2012
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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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  #342  
Old 13 Jan 2012
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and two from the north of nigeria, birnin kebbi.
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  #343  
Old 14 Jan 2012
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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?
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  #344  
Old 14 Jan 2012
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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."
Last edited by priffe; 15 Jan 2012 at 15:35.
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  #345  
Old 15 Jan 2012
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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.
Last edited by priffe; 17 Jan 2012 at 09:39.
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Sahariens • Consulter le sujet - Plutot des bonnes nlles d'Algérie This thread Refback 24 Mar 2019 15:34
Kidnappings | Sahara Overland This thread Refback 27 Feb 2015 12:11
Alex Thurston | Sahel Blog This thread Refback 24 May 2013 08:10
Early Perspectives on the Mali Crisis from a Jihadist Forum (II) | The Moor Next Door This thread Refback 16 Apr 2013 11:10
Laatste nieuws over Mali / Timbouctou / Gao- This thread Refback 28 May 2012 13:09
Sahara Overland ~ book reviews This thread Refback 30 Mar 2012 18:28
Sahara Overland ~ News Archive 2008 This thread Refback 12 Feb 2011 20:29
Sahara Overland News This thread Refback 28 Jul 2010 21:00
Fight against al qaeda in the maghreb - Page 2 - The HUBB This thread Refback 23 May 2010 01:10

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