Minusma's page https://minusma.unmissions.org/attaque-de-tombouctou

Infographie : les organisations jihadistes gagnent du terrain au Mali – JeuneAfrique.com

G5 are proposing 5000 troops to combat terrorism in the Sahara/Sahel but they probably can't succeed without engaging the local population http://www.jeuneafrique.com/552759/p...es-etrangeres/

Some familiar background on the counter-insurgency in the Sahara in this BBC feature:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources..._in_the_desert

with some additional bits and pieces, including the building of a large US base in Agadez and some basics on JNIM, Islamic State, Ansarul Islam and Boko Haram. There are also several platitudes such as "Climate change is driving the Sahara south and reducing the fertile land" which makes you question all the rest. If anything, it has become wetter in the Sahel over the last 20 years.

As they teach in Journalism 101, never let the facts get in the way of a good story...

https://ctc.usma.edu/renewed-jihadi-...at-mauritania/

You can skim down to the conclusion.

So he is writing mostly in the past tense, and there is a lot of speculation. Referring to "rumours in Nouakchott".
Ten years ago, there was a recruitment center in Boutilimit as mentioned in the article, the first city you pass on Route d'Espoir going east from Nouakchott. That is no more, and while there certainly are young people attracted to jihad in Mauretania, they don't make much noise anymore, like they did seven eight years ago when Mujao was formed by Mauretanians and many of the leading jihadists came from RiM.
Now there is more active recruitment elsewhere, like in Kaolack in Senegal.

Maure media have had good connections with AQIM and other groups for a long time. They still do, and often they will be among the first to report what happens.
What has changed now is that the incompetent Malian leader of G5 general Didier Dacko was replaced in July by Mauretanian deputy chief of staff General Hanena Ould Sidi. So a Mauretanian is now leading the fight against jihadists in Sahara and Sahel.
I would say the huge difference in training of Maure military and gendarmes that is apparent to anyone who regularly visits the country is the reason why the country is quiet now, and that tourists have started to return.

If the Maure government have been paying tens of millions of euros in a deal with AQ that would be contrary to their official policy of never paying ransoms. But who knows.

So here is my three ha'pence worth, and I am sat in Mauri' as I type. I find thes articles so tedious and wonder if the author has ever spent time here and discussed the subject with local Mauritanian? Or for that matter visited,say, Northern Mali and discussed the problems with the locals there? Somehow I doubt it. It just smacks of 2+2=5, or if I throw enough speculation and conjecture at the wall some of it may stick and later I can say I told you so therefore I am a brilliant journalist or fantastic academic. Merde!
Regardless of historic regions, current national boundaries, or the rigour of the madrassa if Mauri' were targeted the bearded baddies could easily lose their media conduits. Pretty simple for NKT to close media outlets. And plenty of suitable targets elsewhere.
Sure, there is the Presidential election scheduled for next year, ad the local elections next month. Yes, we could have a new President - I expect it to be Ishmael and for Abdelaziz to "do a Putin" or similar - but this elite will seek to protect their business interests, the peace and prosperity. That's my conjecture
One thing the article seriously fails to emphasise is the extent to which security here is so well underpinned by the West, making it possible for one to move around more freely, unlike almost every other Saharan country at present.
An aspect of the article which I suggest is "over-egged" is all the Mauri' personnel connections as I am sure the same could said for, say, Algeria from El Para in 2003 onwards thru' Droukdel to MBM.
In conclusion; for this type of article I find more heat than light, I pray only that folk may throw sand or water on any dying embers of unrest not petrol, insha'Allah.
Rather warm today; about 43C but thankfully the thunder, lightning, duststorm and rain of yesterday have abated, possibly slightly too calm, we could do with a fresh breeze!
Salaam
Zoubir el Inglizi

First such event I've heard of in Mauritania for ages.

"...Unknown gunmen attacked (including by the use of RPGs) a Mauritanian army patrol in the northernmost Tiris Zemmour Region, two assailants killed and two soldiers wounded, according to reports[/I]"

https://www.skynewsarabia.com/middle-east/1172373

https://africa.liveuamap.com/en/2018...d-including-by

With RPGs but not necessarily a sign of terrorist activity (depending on your definition).

That AQ has left Mauretania alone for five years doesn't mean there isn't anything going on. The other day, a Maure businessman was kidnapped by Sahraouis, and not released until they were paid a ransom by his mother, Mariam Bouchraya who happens to be the mayor of Fderik.

Presumably some unsavoury business going wrong and someone not being paid.
According to POLISARIO «dettes impayées entre commerçants»
Kidnapping du fils de la Maire de F’Derick :Les derniers developpements (vidéo) | Adrar Info
Quand le Polisario justifie le kidnapping et le rançonnage d’un homme d’affaires mauritanien | www.le360.ma (Moroccan)
F’dèrick/ LES Ravisseurs du commerçant ould Levdil localisés à 150 km de Bir Mogrein. – Zouerate Actu