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France begins ground offensive in Mali
The Hindu ^ | 16 January 2013 | Aman Sethi

Posted on 01/16/2013 7:28:53 PM PST by BlackVeil

A week after French aircraft rushed to the aid of a defeated and demoralised Malian army, French ground forces have begun fighting alongside the Malian army in Diabaly, a town 350 km north of capital Bamako.

Since last year, northern Mali has been overrun by Islamist rebels organised under the banners of the Ansar Dine, the Movement for Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Last Friday, France sent in jets, helicopter gunships, and special forces to Central Mali as Islamist rebels advanced till 50 km from a major military base in Sevare, and captured the town of Konna. Since then, France has deployed 2,500 troops in its former colony and bombed targets as far north as Gao and Timbuktu, even as analysts warned of a prolonged and difficult mission. The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has promised about 3,000 troops, expected to arrive by the weekend.

The fighting has proved hard, and progress slow. Over the weekend, the rebels opened a second front in Diabaly ...

(Excerpt) Read more at thehindu.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: africa; algeria; alqaeda; ansardine; aqim; ecowas; france; gao; konna; mali; mujao; religionofpieces; sahel; sevare; timbuktu; waronterror; westafrica
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France has called for African troops, but for some reason is advancing before they arrive. This is gloomy and complicated.
1 posted on 01/16/2013 7:29:00 PM PST by BlackVeil
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To: BlackVeil

What interests does France have there? Ivory? Chocolate? I seriously don’t know much about this.

Isn’t their own Homeland pretty much run over with Islamists these days? Why not fight them on their own turf?


2 posted on 01/16/2013 7:33:39 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

3 posted on 01/16/2013 7:37:22 PM PST by Blue Highway
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

What if WE had invaded Mali?

International outrage!

The French?

*crickets*


4 posted on 01/16/2013 7:44:11 PM PST by Winstons Julia (Hello OWS? We don't need a revolution like China's; China needs a revolution like OURS.)
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To: BlackVeil

Go, Frogs!

Allons enfants de la patrie; see what you can do, having had no practice to speak of. Should be a piece of let them eat cake.


5 posted on 01/16/2013 7:44:28 PM PST by Migraine (Diversity is great; until it happens to YOU.)
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To: BlackVeil
"...northern Mali has been overrun by Islamist rebels organised under the banners of the Ansar Dine, the Movement for Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)."

So the French Army is fighting Muslims in Mali... I hope they get lots of practice so they can go home and slaughter the Mohammedan scum that invaded France. The backlash will start in France.

6 posted on 01/16/2013 7:49:19 PM PST by Always A Marine
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To: BlackVeil

Did each French soldier receive their government-issued surrender flag?


7 posted on 01/16/2013 7:53:31 PM PST by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Gold
Third largest producer in Africa.
Also possibly large reserves.


8 posted on 01/16/2013 7:57:57 PM PST by buwaya
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To: buwaya

Stopping Islam is what matters.


9 posted on 01/16/2013 7:59:00 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
What interests does France have there? Ivory? Chocolate?

Try oil and uranium for starters.

10 posted on 01/16/2013 8:02:38 PM PST by stboz
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To: BlackVeil
This is gloomy and complicated.

I hope this doesn't end up like Dien Bien Phu, and us stepping in to finish the job; as we did in Viet Nam. -Tom

11 posted on 01/16/2013 8:17:06 PM PST by Capt. Tom
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

The French just now started looking for Dirk Pitt, Al Giordino and Rudi Gunn?


12 posted on 01/16/2013 8:22:00 PM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: BlackVeil

Gee, I wonder if they packed enough white surrender flags that they’re famous for using when the going gets tough?

What if there’s no quiche & wine available?


13 posted on 01/16/2013 8:33:31 PM PST by AlanGreenSpam (Obama: The First 'American IDOL' President - sponsored by Chicago NeoCom Thugs)
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To: BlackVeil

How long before stuff starts getting blown up in Paris?


14 posted on 01/16/2013 8:37:53 PM PST by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: BenLurkin; buwaya
Stopping Islam is what matters.

France enabled an Islamic fundamentalist take over of Libya, and is also funding the al-Qaida linked rebels in Syria. So their interests are ... gloomy and complicated.

15 posted on 01/16/2013 8:38:27 PM PST by BlackVeil
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To: BenLurkin

Then lets hope that is indeed their motive.


16 posted on 01/16/2013 8:39:21 PM PST by Pikachu_Dad (Impeach Sen Quinn)
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To: BlackVeil
I read once that one wag opined that the French had only won one of its many, many wars.

And that was the French Revolution (in which it fought itself.)

.

17 posted on 01/16/2013 8:43:57 PM PST by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except to convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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To: AlanGreenSpam

All joking aside, their Foreign Legion is not noted for surrendering.


18 posted on 01/16/2013 8:43:57 PM PST by Argus
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

They aren’t very terribly consistent in choosing to fight for or against the Muzzies are they?


19 posted on 01/16/2013 8:56:05 PM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: Capt. Tom

I doubt it but once the African Union troops arrive they will petition for this to become a UN operation, meaning the US pays for 23% or so of the costs


20 posted on 01/16/2013 8:57:40 PM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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