Mali mainly, 2012 coup, drugs & more

[davidbfpo]

A short article, which appears not to involve being on the ground and starts with:

More than eight weeks after a landmark peace accord between Mali’s Bamako government and a Tuareg-led rebel coalition brought hope of an end to years of unrest, little has been done to end the fighting and militancy is once again on the rise. In recent months, Mali has experienced some of the worst violence since international forces pushed Islamist militants out of their northern strongholds in January 2013.

Link:http://www.irinnews.org/report/10188...mali-conflict?

[davidbfpo]

From:http://newirin.irinnews.org/dataviz/...t-in-mali-2015



Backgrounder:http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...-intervention?

[Bill Moore]

Initial media reports state Mali's security forces responded to the incident in a professional manner. Hopefully our SWJ members in the region will confirm or deny that report. If true, that is at least a silver lining in this dark cloud.

[davidbfpo]

Just found this long review article and only partly read - others have been worth reading:http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...uggle-for-mali

For the weapons experts the photo of Malian soldiers to my "armchair" level of knowledge do not appear to be carrying any ammunition, except the magazine in their AKs.

[Biggus]

For the weapons experts the photo of Malian soldiers to my "armchair" level of knowledge do not appear to be carrying any ammunition, except the magazine in their AKs.

Unless they've got a pouch on the left side, it looks like you're correct. Those AKs are older Chinese production, I believe.

[davidbfpo]

A podcast with Andrew Lebovich (38 min) which offers his views on:

Some of the topics covered include:

• The political process in Mali after the French intervention
• Why there has been a rise in violence recently
• Why IS has not been able to penetrate Mali like many of the other jihadi zones
• Where things might be going from here

Link:https://www.lawfareblog.com/jihadolo...hadi-landscape

[davidbfpo]

Since February 14, 2016, the French Army "Barkhane Force" which operates in Mali against Islamic terrorism in Africa has deployed three LRU (Lance- Roquette Unitaire - MLRS Multiple launch Rocket System) from the 1st Artillery Regiment of Belfort. This is the first operational deployment for this type of weapon since its entry into service in 2014.

Link:http://www.armyrecognition.com/armie..._12002162.html