This could be so, but I think it's common to blame such events 'on bandits from over the border' - especially if it's locals (Malian's) saying so. Me, I don't see crossing the Niger river as that huge an obstacle, and if they were French agents/PMCs as is suspected, then you'd think it would be the north who wanted to get their hands on them. I suppose we'll find out soon enough.


I was wondering what could be the motivation for returned Tuaregs from Libya to do what they did in Timbuktu - if that was indeed the case. I never really understood if these 'returnees' were a long time living in Libya - embedded in the losing army and so had to flee but now had few connections back home. Or if, as we read, they were among the many sub-Saharan mercenaries flown in this year to do a job because the regular Libyan army could not be relied upon to turn on its own.

In some places I read they are causing fear in north Mali (as described in Kidal). Someone else (from Mali) told me a few weeks ago returnees were being met at the border, relieved of their arms and given payouts. It sounded a bit far-fetched. (He also said there was no way there'd ever be a hit in Timbuktu for the 'alliance/pact' reasons mentioned).

I suppose if you explain it as a few young and audacious mercenaries-turned-crims, fresh from a war they may not have got paid for, then it sounds plausible. But you'd think they'd appreciate there are easier and less risky ways to make money than grab tourists from Timbuktu.

Sounds like a tribal/gang feud may be the result up there.

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail