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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
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  #61  
Old 22 Mar 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yves View Post
Hi,
I agree with Ulrich at least for independent travels in remot regions, following is why:
Independent travellers in remote desert regions are only a small number compared to mass tourism in Tunisia or Morocco. Remote desert regions are much more difficult to secure than urban regions. Thus as independent traveller in remote desert regions you are much more exposed. Travelling w/o guide increase the risk further. There might be 10'000 tourists per year in the Tunisian militray zone compared to may be 10'000 per week in Djerba.
Looking back to 2003 about half of the kidnappings only happened because tourist were not reached by warnings or ignoring serious warnings given.
I agree with that , but what you mean about "Travelling w/o guide increase the risk" ?
I think a guide is certainly not an insurance against that kind of risk but , may be , he knows sometimes where are the dangeous areas.

RR.
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  #62  
Old 23 Mar 2008
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Taureg land
A small piece of this particular jigsaw:-
BBC NEWS | Africa | Tuareg rebels attack Mali convoy
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  #63  
Old 23 Mar 2008
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According to a map produced on desert.info earlier:
Sahara Overland ~ News

the site of this raid at 'Aleibara' appears to be very near if not exactly where the two hostages are thought to be.

The latest deadline was to expire tonight

Ch
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  #64  
Old 23 Mar 2008
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A local newspaper here in Tripoli, Libya has reported that the Libyans are negotiating, through intermediaries, with the hostage takers. The hostage takers are demanding 5 million euros for their release.
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  #65  
Old 24 Mar 2008
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Tuareg rebels attack Mali convoy
Story here

BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Tuareg rebels attack Mali convoy



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  #66  
Old 24 Mar 2008
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According to a map produced on desert.info earlier:
Sahara Overland ~ News

the site of this raid at 'Aleibara' appears to be very near if not exactly where the two hostages are thought to be held.

Ch
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  #67  
Old 24 Mar 2008
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Mali | Africa - Reuters.com - Austrian hostage captors extend deadline-SITE group
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  #68  
Old 25 Mar 2008
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Hello,

letter nr. 4 from AQIM is published:

Desert-Info - Crossover News

Regards

Ulrich
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  #69  
Old 25 Mar 2008
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It looks as though a collaboration has been set between the Algerian insurgency and the Mali-Niger (Tuareg Republic of Tumoujgha) Tuareg rebellion. The kidnapped Austrains provide pretext for the Mali military to go into the region and, at the same time, the tuareg rebels have an opportunity to take the military out on their own ground.

The Islamic insurgents will most likely require some level of Malian government cooperation (e.g. with ransom flows) so the situation looks complicated. In 2003 the stance of the Malian government looked almost neutral - sort of third parties to the ransom issue. It looks different now after the miliatry raid to the area.

An unfortunate trend in the region is that rebels are laying land mines - initially in Niger and now in Mali. Maybe the have seen how effective the mines have been in the Tibesti?
Last edited by Richard Washington; 25 Mar 2008 at 11:23. Reason: added last sentence about the land mines
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  #70  
Old 31 Mar 2008
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new terms
It is being reported that the terms of release of the Austrians has changed to include release of AQ prisoners in Austria as well as the withdrawal of 4 Austrian peacemakers in Afghanistan


See:
Tourist kidnappers' new demands: Africa: News: News24

Vienna - The kidnappers of two Austrian tourists abducted in February in Tunisia have increased their demands in return for their release, public broadcaster ORF said on Monday.

Austria's foreign ministry did not comment on reports that the new demands included the release of a couple recently found guilty by Austrian courts of al-Qaeda membership.

Mohamed M and his wife were handed prison sentences for producing an internet video promoting Islamist terrorism.

Demands also included the withdrawal of the four Austrian peacekeepers currently stationed in Afghanistan and a substantial ransom payment
Last edited by Richard Washington; 31 Mar 2008 at 19:29. Reason: typos
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  #71  
Old 31 Mar 2008
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deleted duplicate
Last edited by Richard Washington; 3 Apr 2008 at 16:08. Reason: deleted duplicate posting following merge of thread from Sahara forum.
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  #72  
Old 3 Apr 2008
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The Malian government and Tuareg rebels have accepted a ceasefire on the ground from Thursday 0.01am

IOL: Truce in Mali

This follows reports of Mi-24 gunship helicopters belonging to the Mali military having a go at the rebels near Kidal. I didn't know that Mali had Mi-24s. Just one of those machines held off the rebels in Sierra leone.

The reports say the rebels were laying land mines on the road to Kidal. It also says that this fighting is complicating efforts to release the kidnapped Austrians. I would guess that the Mali militray needs to have free access to the region to place any pressure on AQ-M although I would hope the outcome is determined politically. The report ends with a suggestion that 'they' (the Austrians) may have been moved to Mauri.

News | Africa - Reuters.com
Last edited by Richard Washington; 3 Apr 2008 at 15:43. Reason: added some stuff
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  #73  
Old 7 Apr 2008
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Hello everbody,

new statement realesed today. Have a look:

www.desert-info.ch :: Thema anzeigen - VERMISST IN TUNESIEN! Bitte lesen!

Regards

Ulrich
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  #74  
Old 7 Apr 2008
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I have the text deleted. Hi is no more relevant.

Greetings

Ulrich
Last edited by Ulrich; 9 Apr 2008 at 08:19.
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  #75  
Old 13 Apr 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieGuy View Post
Am I the only one confused about this guy (xfiltrate)? Im sure you have a secret agenda hidden in your posts.
You're not bl00dy kidding. I need a translater.
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