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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...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #497  
Old 1 Jun 2013
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Very interesting read about Belmokhtar and his relationship with the AQIM hierarchy well worth your time:

AP Exclusive: Rise of al-Qaida Sahara terrorist
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  #498  
Old 2 Jun 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steview View Post

not surprised the mali soldiers were running out of ammo, they do like a bit of automatic fire!

They didn't look too convincing as a force who could maintain the peace without the French. Appeared poorly trained and illdisciplined with poor drills.
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  #499  
Old 5 Jun 2013
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USA for the first time, offered a cash prize for Islamic extremists in Northern and Western Africa: Rewards for Justice-main - english

The highest prize, $ 7 million, is scheduled for the head of the Nigerian sect Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau. Five million dollars for information that would lead to Mokhtar Belmokhtar and Yahya Abou El Hammam, high master of AQIM. Three million is earmarked for information on Malik Abou Abdelkarim, AQIM press officer for the group MUJAO (Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa).

Now, hunt is open.
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  #500  
Old 12 Jun 2013
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Some Sahel/Sahara reading in the doldrums of Summer

Sing me a song! | sahelsounds
Samuel Laurent: «Le désert libyen est devenu un haut lieu de la contrebande et du terrorisme» - Terrorisme - RFI
Hot Spot: Mali — Cultural Anthropology
http://elwatan.com/actualite/sur-la-...216525_109.php
http://maliactu.net/les-dynamiques-t...a-ouagadougou/
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20130605-m...acko-gamou-att
French and English.
Negotiations are proceeding in Ouaga between Bamako and MNLA (and the newly formed HCA, High Council of Azawad), as the Malian army is attempting to retake Kidal.
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  #501  
Old 8 Jul 2013
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Portrait of MBM and his defection from Aqim

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-r...234930080.html
Last edited by priffe; 11 Jul 2013 at 13:16.
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  #502  
Old 15 Jul 2013
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Body of French hostage 'found in northern Mali' - MALI - FRANCE - FRANCE 24
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  #503  
Old 23 Aug 2013
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MBM's group merges with MUJAO
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23796920

Latest map below

I'm also told by two established Tam agencies that that south of Algeria is currently closed to foreign tourists (though others contradict this).

Ch
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  #504  
Old 3 Sep 2013
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This month the four remaining French hostages from Areva have spent three years in captivity.
According to the former US ambassador to Bamako, a sum total of 66 million euros have been paid in ransoms since 2004.
Of these 12 million were handed over to the Mali government for release of the above hostages, who relayed at least some of it to AQIM , but something went wrong.

France paid millions for Niger hostages who were not freed, ex-US ambassador claims - Mali - France - United States - RFI

The last hostage taken Gilbert Leal was picked up in November last year in Diema, Mali. Almost a year now without kidnappings!

It is time for tourists to return to Mali and Mauretania.
Tchad is seeing many tourists this year, even a desert race is being organized
http://www.le-treg.com//en/le-treg/la-course.html
flying into Faya Largeau with Point Afrique.
Last edited by priffe; 8 Sep 2013 at 21:21.
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  #505  
Old 7 Sep 2013
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A new analysis of the current happenings on El Watan:
Sahel : Les nouvelles stratégies du terrorisme - International - El Watan
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  #506  
Old 7 Sep 2013
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Hmmmm.. in this article, they claim that the French have poisoned the wells to keep the fighters from coming back. It seems pretty unlikely, so I wonder if El Watan's sources aren't just rumors.
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  #507  
Old 9 Sep 2013
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Probably over 90% of what appears in the press on the topic are unconfirmed rumors, but El Watan is one of the closest to the mouth of the horse...
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  #508  
Old 14 Sep 2013
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What's the verdict?
So, is Mali safe enough for travellers to visit Tombuctu now?

Do we need to get ourselves into convoys to lessen the chance of kidnapping?

Do we need the army to accompany us?

Or, do we simply just go believing there will now be no problems for non beligerent travellers?

In this part of the world, a part that is very attractive to some of us, the only way there will be winners is if the shooting stops and the talking starts. When people are so into religion that they will kill you to make their point there is not a lot of hope of a solution but talking means less suffering on both sides.

Anyone interested in going at the end of the year?

Ali P.
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  #509  
Old 14 Sep 2013
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You can go anywhere the military will let you.

There's been no kidnappings this year.
But the north is not stable yet. There are skirmishes between army and touaregs, like last week near the Mauri border (Foyta)

Mali just had the best elections ever. Tourists will start returning. There'll be plenty of us in Mali and Mauretania this year.
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  #510  
Old 17 Sep 2013
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New video from Aqim, dated June 27, of the seven hostages
ani.mr original release
AFP: Al-Qaeda releases 'credible' hostage video
BBC News - Al-Qaeda 'releases foreign hostage video'
Last edited by priffe; 17 Sep 2013 at 13:02.
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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

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