France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Locutus

#1Jan 13th, 2013

French warplanes have bombed the town of Gao in eastern Mali, extending their attacks deep into rebel-held territory.

France's military has been in action against Islamist militants in Mali since Friday, helping government forces recapture the central town of Konna.

A resident in Gao told AFP news agency all Islamist bases in the town had been destroyed and the militants had fled.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the Islamist advance in Mali had been brought to a halt.

"Stopping the terrorists, that's done," he told RTL radio. Had France not intervened, there was a risk that the Islamists could have advanced as far as the capital, Bamako, he said.

Islamist groups and secular Tuareg rebels seized northern Mali in April 2012.

more

BBC News - France Rafale jets target Gao in eastern Mali

Goober

Free Thinker

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 13th, 2013

0 months to take action. And they planned to have a military intervention somewhat together by the fall. Until the rebels started advancing.
One report stated the French were surprised at the training and the weapons the rebels had. Guess their Military Intelligence missed the fall of Gaddafi. And all those weapons many of which the Rebels acquired.
Fuk me.

Nuggler

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

We should take up a collection to make sure their jets don't run out of fuel and have to stop with the job half done.

L Gilbert

No Party Affiliation

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Yep. Read about this in the news.

earth_as_one

France Bombs Mali rebels

Jan 14th, 2013

It sure sounds like France is kicking some al Qaeda butt:

France Bombs Mali Rebels, African States Ready Troops

The battle to retake Mali's north from the al-Qaida-linked groups controlling it began in earnest Saturday, after hundreds of French forces deployed to the country and began aerial bombardments to drive back the Islamic extremists.

At the same time, nations in West Africa authorized the immediate deployment of troops to Mali, fast-forwarding a military intervention that was not due to start until September.

Meanwhile, Fox News reported on Saturday that France has appealed to the U.S. for drone support and the request is being reviewed by the Pentagon.

The decision to begin the military operation was taken after the fighters, who seized the northern half of Mali nine months ago, decided earlier this week to push even further south to the town of Konna, coming within 50 kilometers (30 miles) of Mopti, the first town held by the government and a major base for the Malian military.

Many believe that if Mopti were to fall, the Islamists could potentially seize the rest of the country, dramatically raising the stakes. The potential outcome was "a terrorist state at the doorstep of France and Europe," French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday.

France scrambled Mirage fighter jets from a base in neighboring Chad, as well as combat helicopters beginning the aerial assault on Friday. They have also sent in hundreds of troops to the front line, as well as to secure the capital. In just 24 hours, French forces succeeded in dispersing the Islamists from Konna, the town the fighters had seized in a bold advance earlier in the week, Le Drian said.

Malian military officials said they were now conducting sweeps, looking for snipers.

"A halting blow has been delivered, and heavy losses have been inflicted on our adversaries, but our mission is not complete," French President Francois Hollande said after a three-hour meeting with his defense chiefs in Paris....

the Same story from Al Jazeera:

Mali rebels advance despite French airstrikes

Al-Qaeda-linked rebels overrun garrison of Diabaly in central Mali after fierce fighting with French and Malian troops.

Rebels have grabbed more territory in Mali, inching closer to the capital despite intensive aerial bombardments by French warplanes, French and Malian authorities have said.

The al-Qaeda-linked rebels overran the garrison village of Diabaly in central Mali, France's defence minister said in Paris on Monday.

Jean-Yves Le Drian said the rebels "took Diabaly after fierce fighting and resistance from the Malian army that couldn't hold them back"'.

The Malian military is in disarray and has let many towns fall with barely a shot fired since the insurgency began almost a year ago in the northwest African nation.

French military forces, who began battling in Mali on Friday, widened their aerial bombing campaign against the rebels occupying northern Mali, launching airstrikes for the first time in central Mali to combat the new threat.

Al Jazeera's correspondent Nazanine Moshiri, reporting from the capital Bamako, said: "There are reports of about 60 fighters being killed thus far while Doctors without Borders say they are very concerned about the lives of civilians in the region."....
Mali rebels advance despite French airstrikes - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Also from Al Jazeera:
... (French president) Hollande says the rebel presence is a major security threat: "France, at the request of the president of Mali, and respecting the United Nations' charter, committed itself yesterday to support the Malian army against terrorist aggression that threatens all of West Africa .... Thanks to the courage of our soldiers, a halting blow was brought to bear and heavy losses were inflicted on our adversaries, but our mission is not accomplished."

The fighters however, warn that the offensive will be France's Afghanistan - and its downfall.

Sanda Ould Bouamama, a spokesperson for Ansar Dine, one of the groups the French are fighting, warned: "We have tanks, armoured vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, grad rocket launchers and other weapons. We've already managed to down a French aircraft, which everyone has now heard about. But know this, we fight the French with the same weapons as our brothers fought their invaders in Afghanistan and Iraq, our faith in God, by His will Azawad will be the Afghanistan of the region and France's downfall."

The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and Ansar Dine were the two major Tuareg groups involved in the takeover of the north of Mali....

What is France risking in Mali? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English

Holy smokes, did Al Jazeera take statements from both sides of the conflict? What kind of high journalistic standards is Al Jazeera setting? If the CBC national News did that, they'd have to cut out the fluff.

Goober

Free Thinker

Re: France Bombs Mali rebels

Jan 14th, 2013

Loc posted a thread on this. Should ask to have it merged.

France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

earth_as_one

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

What you didn't read is that French intervention was triggered by rebel successes. Also our news hasn't reported that the rebels continue to advance despite French intervention.
Mali rebels advance despite French airstrikes - Africa - Al Jazeera English

If you want detailed information on this conflict, Al Jazeera has reporters on the ground near the front lines:
What is France risking in Mali? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English

earth_as_one

Re: France Bombs Mali rebels

Jan 14th, 2013

I missed that. Let this thread die. I'll post on the other thread.

L Gilbert

No Party Affiliation

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Heard on the radio that Canada is sending one cargo plane of supplies to Mali. It'll stay for a week there.

Goober

Free Thinker

#10

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by L Gilbert

Heard on the radio that Canada is sending one cargo plane of supplies to Mali. It'll stay for a week there.

I am sure it will be longer. More troops and equipment will be needed.
Harper sends C-17s military cargo plane to Mali after request from France as campaign against Islamist insurgents intensifies | News | National Post

earth_as_one

#11

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

I doubt 500 French boots on the ground can stop the rebels regardless of the amount of ordinance dropped from the sky.

WLDB

No Party Affiliation

#12

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by earth_as_one

I doubt 500 French boots on the ground can stop the rebels regardless of the amount of ordinance dropped from the sky.

True. Didnt seem to do anything for them in Vietnam.

Still, I have no problems with this.

Goober

Free Thinker

#13

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by earth_as_one

I doubt 500 French boots on the ground can stop the rebels regardless of the amount of ordinance dropped from the sky.

The West has sat on their collective arses for about 9 months. This should have been in play within the month. Just gave them more time for training- recruiting- reinforcing areas-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Mali

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21021132

Last edited by Goober; Jan 14th, 2013 at 08:39 PM..

darkbeaver

Republican

#14

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

I hope none of the gold was hurt in the bombing and that it is safely rescued from the evil Islamist rebels. What African gold needs is freedom and democracy and the right to sit in any vault it chooses..

taxslave

No Party Affiliation

#15

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by L Gilbert

Heard on the radio that Canada is sending one cargo plane of supplies to Mali. It'll stay for a week there.

The plane or the supplies.

Johnnny

#16

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Wow the French have a backbone???? Impressive

taxslave

No Party Affiliation

#17

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnnny

Wow the French have a backbone???? Impressive

Probably more like financial interest.

darkbeaver

Republican

#18

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnnny

Wow the French have a backbone???? Impressive

Yeah bombing Africans that takes spine eh. You're easily impressed, go watch more TV yer underdone.

Johnnny

#19

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 14th, 2013

When i dont like what other people post i ignore it....

does baby want his bottle? Or is he done with his insults?

damngrumpy

No Party Affiliation

#20 Top Rated Post

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 15th, 2013

It is time to say no more not because we should be involved everywhere for every thing.
No because the militants are attempting to set up a new Afghanistan and we would have
bigger problems down the road. Maybe its time to just do what needs to be done to send
these groups back to hell where they belong.

Colpy

Conservative

#21

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 15th, 2013

How bad are the bad guys in Mali? The answer, in four powerful paragraphs

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/...ction-in-mali/

Last edited by Colpy; Jan 15th, 2013 at 02:46 AM..

DaSleeper

#22

Re: France Bombs Mali rebels

Jan 15th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Goober

Loc posted a thread on this. Should ask to have it merged.

France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

More than one venue for propaganda is good ..Don't you know?

EagleSmack

#23

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 15th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by earth_as_one

I doubt 500 French boots on the ground can stop the rebels regardless of the amount of ordinance dropped from the sky.

It worked for the Northern Alliance

Goober

Free Thinker

#24

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 15th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by EagleSmack

It worked for the Northern Alliance

And I am sure the French and the Govt will find some allies within the Taureg tribes. After the Islamists took control the Tauregs were tossed aside.
Imagine they are more then pissed about this.
They want equal treatment to some form of autonomy to independence. Oh deals will be cut.

Blackleaf

#25

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 21st, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Nuggler

We should take up a collection to make sure their jets don't run out of fuel and have to stop with the job half done.

At least the French Air Force has planes, unlike Canada's.

Cliffy

Free Thinker

#26

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 21st, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf

At least the French Air Force has planes, unlike Canada's.

Dude, we got planes. Who do you think bombed the hell out of Libya? One of Canada's prouder moments.

darkbeaver

Republican

#27

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 21st, 2013

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...nt-gunmen.html
Who was the white jihadi? Algerian forces find 'two Canadians and at least one Frenchman' among bodies of gas plant gunmen

Canadian passports found on badly burned bodies of two insurgents
One Frenchman among the terrorists, say Algerian judicial sources
Algerian PM says 37 foreign hostages from eight countries had died
Total death toll of captives and hostage-takers has risen to 89
Cameron says repatriation of dead Brits 'top priority' but may take time
Some of the gunmen 'given short-term contracts by the oil and gas giant'
Attackers 'arrived in cars painted in colours of Algerian state energy firm'
Group threatens further attacks unless France ends assault on Mali rebels
William Hague denies intervention in Libya had fuelled extremism in region

By Peter Allen and Nabila Ramdani
PUBLISHED: 19:35 GMT, 20 January 2013 | UPDATED: 16:23 GMT, 21 January 2013

A couple of suspects, the guy in the suit is an ugly piece of work eh. What alien spy service has a long history of using Canadian passports? William Hague is an idiot.

petros

#28

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 21st, 2013

We're gathered here, with a cross to bear, the bravest men anywhere,
that this great land will remain free.

God bless the men of the 303.

Side by side, we know no fear, our minds are sharp, our eyes are clear.

In the air, on land, or on the sea we're the fightin' men of the 303.

Give us this day our daily bread, and leopard skin for our head,
that we may fight

Years from now, when we are gone, our childrens kids will hear this song.

Think how strong and proud they'll be.

Grampa fought for the 303.

God bless the men of the 303.

Ten-Hutt!"

Goober

Free Thinker

#29

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 21st, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by petros

We're gathered here, with a cross to bear, the bravest men anywhere,
that this great land will remain free.

God bless the men of the 303.

Side by side, we know no fear, our minds are sharp, our eyes are clear.

In the air, on land, or on the sea we're the fightin' men of the 303.

Give us this day our daily bread, and leopard skin for our head,
that we may fight

Years from now, when we are gone, our childrens kids will hear this song.

Think how strong and proud they'll be.

Grampa fought for the 303.

God bless the men of the 303.

Ten-Hutt!"

They really should check out all those 707 cargo flights flying from SA across to Africa. Not in normal flight paths.

petros

#30

Re: France still bombing the hell out of Mali militants

Jan 21st, 2013

I hope they bring back Sgt Wm. "Old Shoe" Shumann in one piece...

Courage, Mom!

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