Mali mainly, 2012 coup, drugs & more

[JMA]

The rebels in most reports I have read were mercenaries for Gadafy and fought against a coalition that included jihadists. Returning home before the end, along with heavy weapons - which the Malian army had nothing to compare. Film footage tonight showed "technicals" and lorry-mounted rocket launchers.

Yes probably.

The key issue here is that they will have logistics and supply problems for the weapons/equipment/vehicles they brought back from Libya.

A good field commander would tempt them to move around and fire off as much ammunition as possible until they run short or the vehicles break. (Their accuracy is not likely to be good, but the big bangs of HE are likely to scare the hell out of the rag-tag Malian army)

Then with a level playing field they close in for the kill...