Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree90Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #331  
Old 20 Dec 2011
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
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
Reply With Quote
  #332  
Old 21 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
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.
Reply With Quote
  #333  
Old 22 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
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.
Reply With Quote
  #334  
Old 23 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
Mauritanian policeman kidnapped near Mali border | News by Country | Reuters
Reply With Quote
  #335  
Old 3 Jan 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: brussels
Posts: 46
Here's an excellent article on Al Jazeera's website that gives a good overview of the complex politics & events in the region.
Reply With Quote
  #336  
Old 4 Jan 2012
Ulrich's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
Ah,

new article from storyteller Jeremy Keenan.

Regards

Ulrich
Reply With Quote
  #337  
Old 5 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
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.
Reply With Quote
  #338  
Old 5 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
Army barracks attacked in Mali, Al-Qaeda suspected | IndepthAfrica
Reply With Quote
  #339  
Old 5 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
Aqim in Kiffa?
Terror fears rock Mauritania town (Magharebia.com)

Last edited by priffe; 7 Jan 2012 at 18:53.
Reply With Quote
  #340  
Old 12 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
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.
Reply With Quote
  #341  
Old 13 Jan 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
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?
Reply With Quote
  #342  
Old 13 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 293
and two from the north of nigeria, birnin kebbi.
Reply With Quote
  #343  
Old 14 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
^ 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?
Reply With Quote
  #344  
Old 14 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
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.
Reply With Quote
  #345  
Old 15 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
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.
Reply With Quote
Reply


LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/north-africa/islamist-activity-sahara-relation-travel-49806
Posted By For Type Date
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

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 22 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 22 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sahara - XT500 - 1982 Chris Scott Ride Tales 17 28 Sep 2015 01:12
Adventure Travel Film Festival Australia - Bright Vic 24-26 Feb 2012 Adventure Travel Film Festival Australia HU Travellers Meetings - Australia 23 28 Nov 2012 07:04
2012 Inspirational Travel Literature Awards - Nominate now mattcbf600 The HUBB PUB 2 15 Feb 2012 16:49
Global Giving Field visitor as you travel jcravens Make a Difference 0 11 Nov 2011 21:53

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:21.