maliontheground

Al-Qaida leader’s brother condemns Mali operation.

Originally posted on Beegeagle's Blog:
Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet pilots receive a pre-flight briefing from Air Component Commander, Air Vice Marshal Tayo Oguntonyibo (2nd right) prepare to take off to Niger from Abuja

Primer on Jihadi Players in Algeria and Mali, Pt. 4: Ansar al-Din

Posted: 23rd January 2013 on jihadica.com by Andrew Lebovich Ansar al-Din was created in November 2011 by Iyad Ag Ghali, a legendary Tuareg powerbroker in northern Mali who led two rebellions against the Malian government in the 1990′s and in 2006. According to journalistic accounts as well as scholarly writing, Ag Ghali grew increasingly religious and joined the … Continue reading →

Originally posted on Bridges from Bamako:
After several days of contradictory reports, it’s now certain that the armed Islamist fighters who had taken over the town of Diabaly, in Mali’s central region of Segou, have departed. Events in Diabaly over the last two weeks offer useful clues about the abilities and qualities of the three…

Originally posted on Sahel Blog:
Nine months ago, I wrote a piece titled “NATO’s Intervention in Libya Was a Mistake.” As the French-led intervention in Mali continues, Libya is once again on people’s minds. People ask what relevance the precedent of intervention in Libya has for Mali, and what connections there are between the intervention…

Originally posted on Database of Press Releases related to Africa – APO-Source:
    Exactions des militaires maliens : l’urgence d’une commission d’enquête indépendante   PARIS, France, 23 janvier 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — La FIDH est fortement préoccupée par la multiplication des exécutions sommaires et autres violations des droits humains commises par des soldats…

Originally posted on Beegeagle's Blog:
Nigerian troops exit a NAF Hercules C130-H30 in Bamako after their nighttime arrival in Bamako, Mali The other day, we spoke about the notion steeped in ignorance which oozes forth when foreign journalists writing about the African armies coming to Mali and pretending that the are all ill-trained and…

Originally posted on Beegeagle's Blog:
President Goodluck Jonathan REUTERS 22 January, 2013 excerpts In an interview with Reuters in Geneva, Jonathan said Nigeria had a direct interest in intervening in Mali, pointing out links between the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram and al Qaeda’s north African wing in Mali. “We believe that if we…

Primer on Jihadi Players in Algeria and Mali, Pt. 1: AQIM

Posted: 19th January 2013 on jihadica.com by Andrew Lebovich [Editor’s Note: Jihadica is thrilled to welcome Andrew Lebovich, one of the very few people who specializes in North African jihadis. This is the first of a four part series on the jihadi chess pieces at play in the current Mali/Algerian crisis. Tomorrow’s post will be on the splinter … Continue reading →