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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 29 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlock View Post
we are screwed...
Not yet

this could work in your favour as there will now be military swarming over the area and tightened security everywhere.

Next time the bandits will strike elsewhere.

We passed through a few days after the French family was murdered 2007
we were even in Aleg feeling safe since awareness was heightened

ps - so Richard was partly right, it happened in Mauri - - - but they (the bad guys) mostly strike where you don't expect them to, right?
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  #2  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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A geography question for Sahara veterans
Chris and others, not too long ago I volunteered some information regarding the abduction of a foreign tourist couple in Tunisia. I hit the mark on direction of travel and the way the dress of couple after they were taken, long before the the facts became evident in the international press. I also predicted the couple would be released alive, they were.

I was asked, ordered, to give my sources or take flight to the HU bar with my observations. I did so.

This time, I will approach the topic in a more appropriate manner. I have a simple question, based on observations from the same undisclosed source.

Are there any remote caves or underground tunnels/facilities in the desert? Caves or underground tunnels that might have multiple secrete/hidden entrances and exits? Old mining sites or archeological digs? Just a thought regarding the location of the recent kidnap victims, right now.

This is not a whim but a well reasoned question. If such little known natural/man made geographical features exist it would be helpful for me to have GPS locations.

Thank you

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate
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Last edited by xfiltrate; 30 Nov 2009 at 13:25. Reason: time: posted at 1 AM Monday 30nov09 Buenos Aires time
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  #3  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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There is the Choum railroad tunnel...
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  #4  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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Sounds to perfect to not be related...:

Mauritania Arrests 3 Suspected Terrorists, Tahalil Hebdo Says






By Hannah Armstrong


Nov. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Mauritanian security forces arrested three men accused of joining the terrorist group Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, the Mauritanian daily Tahalil Hebdo reported today.
The group has claimed responsibility for attacks in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott this year, the murder of American citizen Christopher Leggett on June 23 and a suicide bombing in front of the French Embassy on Aug. 8 that wounded three.
President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz vowed in his August inauguration speech to improve national security. Since then, France and Spain have pledged to help the security forces crack down on terrorism, smuggling and trafficking. Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb is based in the rugged Sahel region spanning Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Algeria.
Mauritania Arrests 3 Suspected Terrorists, Tahalil Hebdo Says - Bloomberg.com
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  #5  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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More news here (in Spanish - Google trans here) (it updates as the original El Pais page changes).

Ch
Last edited by Chris Scott; 30 Nov 2009 at 22:39.
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  #6  
Old 11 Jan 2010
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have you advice as to how to minimise risk for oneself?
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  #7  
Old 11 Jan 2010
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Quote:
RPT-UPDATE 1-Al Qaeda sets deadline for French hostage's life

Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:05am GMT


DUBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's North African wing have threatened to execute a French hostage if four al Qaeda prisoners being held in Mali were not released within 20 days.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said Pierre Kamat would be killed if its demand was not met, the group said on a website used by al-Qaeda linked organisations.
"The Mujahideen have decided to inform the French and Malian governments of their only condition and demand for the release of the French hostage Pierre Kamat, which is the release of our four prisoners arrested by Mali several months ago," the statement posted on Sunday said.
By the end of the 20-day period, which started on Sunday, "both governments will be fully responsible for the French hostage's life", the group added.
Kamat was kidnapped in Mali on Nov. 25 last year and the group claimed his kidnapping as well as the kidnapping of three Spaniards.
Last May, AQIM executed British hostage Edwin Dyer, who was kidnapped on the border between Mali and Niger in January 2009.
"We call upon the French public and the family of the kidnapped to put pressure on the Sarkozy government and to prevent it from committing the stupidity which was committed by (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown against the British citizen," the group said.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Algeria and several other countries in the region.
It has extended its territory in recent years to include Mauritania, at the western end of the Sahara desert. In December 2007 it killed four French tourists, prompting the cancellation of off-road automobile race the Dakar Rally in 2008. [/EMAIL]))
Source: Reuters

Regards

Ulrich
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  #8  
Old 7 Feb 2010
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Calling ULRICH
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tifinagh View Post
have you advice as to how to minimise risk for oneself?
A very good question and maybe one that Ulrich would perhaps like to answer as he is knowledgeable on the subject and it would benefit all travellers.
How about it Ulrich? care to share your advice? would be great!
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  #9  
Old 8 Feb 2010
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Spain has paid 5 Mio Euro for the release of the spanish hostages.

Quote:
L’Espagne paye une rançon de cinq millions de dollars pour la libération de ses otages
Date : 08/02/2010 à 14:48:49

Les cinq millions de dollars exigés par la branche maghrébine d'Al-Qaïda, pour libérer les otages espagnols, ont pris la route pour le Mali, selon le journal espagnol El Mundo.

La Fondation Kadhafi, dirigée par le fils du dictateur Libyen, Saif El Islam, aurait joué le rôle d’intermédiaire pour le paiement de la rançon. L’argent devrait être dans les mains des terroristes au cours de la semaine.

Trois humanitaires espagnols, aujourd'hui retenus dans le désert du nord du Mali, avaient été enlevés, en Mauritanie, le 20 novembre dernier sur l'axe routier Nouadhibou-Nouakchott. Leur rapt a été revendiqué par Al-Qaïda au Maghreb Islamique (AQMI).
mauretanie web - L’Espagne paye une rançon de cinq millions de dollars pour la libération de ses otages

Translation to English: Googoonish

Regards

Ulrich
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  #10  
Old 8 Feb 2010
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Hello,

that's interesting also:

Quote:
Mali: no prisoner exchanges

Bamako - Mali will not give in to demands from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to free Islamist radicals held in its prisons in exchange for a French hostage, security sources said on Monday.
news24 - Mali: no prisoner exchanges

For my post before: The payment of ransom is not confirmed. I did not found another source with this term.

Regards

Ulrich
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  #11  
Old 9 Feb 2010
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guessing that's a 'no' Tifinagh - no response from ulrich... which is a great shame....
Security advice on prevention/awareness for all travellers would be a great deal more useful rather than rehashed articles already on the web. Not to mention 'broadcasting' their message here again.
Last edited by Bertrand; 9 Feb 2010 at 08:36.
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