France surprised by fighting strength of Mali Islamic supremacists

Where are they getting this modern equipment and training? At least some of the equipment comes from Libya, courtesy jihadists who got them from the U.S. and its allies.

"Mali Islamists much stronger than expected: France," from AFP, January 13:

French forces in Mali have been taken by surprise by the fighting strength of the Islamist radicals they are attempting to drive out of the centre of the country, it emerged on Sunday.

Aides to President Francois Hollande admitted the militants were better equipped, armed and trained than they had expected.

"What has struck us markedly is how modern their equipment is and their ability to use it," one said in a reference to the rebels' hit on a French Gazelle helicopter.

The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing and its pilot, Lieutenant Damien Boiteux, died of his injuries after being shot with a light arm.

The helicopter was brought down during an attack on an Islamist convoy travelling between the towns of Mopti and Sevare in central Mali.

"Initially, they appeared like a rag-tag bunch travelling in their Toyotas with a few weapons," the official added. "But they've shown themselves to be well-equipped, well-armed and well-trained."

The French officials believe the Islamists obtained many of their weapons during last year's unrest, when arms were delivered to rebels fighting to overthrow Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

"In Libya they picked up modern, sophisticated kit that is a lot more robust and effective than could have been imagined," the source added....

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A failure of imagination from the West as usual. Or more truthfully perhaps, they have been instructed to "imagine" only in the fullest John Lennon style for so long they don't know how to "imagine" (ie calculate) the worst and prepare for it.
OF COURSE the "Islamists" are getting help. They are part of the Ummah!!

More fallout from Obama's stupid Libyan meddling--I'm sure the rebel forces whom we and the Euros supported in Libya have gotten a pipeline going to their Tuareg comrades in Mali.

While I have often said that Moammar Qaddafi was a jerk, had Lockerbie and Berlin disco blood on his hands, and that the nicest thing I could say about him was that he looked as if he might've been the natural son of either Chico or Harpo Marx,he did have enough prudence to back down on developing nuclear weapons when he saw how Sadam Hussein's game of chicken with Dubya Bush ended up. Further, the "democratic rebels" we supported in eastern Libya had lots of Qaida sympathizers and fighters in their ranks. The Libyan rebellion was one which our European allies suckered us into when we didn't have a single major interest in the country.

Next thing we know, our clueless schmoos in Washington are going to get us in up to our ears in Mali--another open-ended, land-locked battlefield.

My guess is that the O's administration has decided that the Salafists and other jihadis are "the wave of the future" in SW Asia and N. Africa, and has decided it will try to co-opt it. My guess is that it will end up getting us nothing but another 9/11--perhaps, perhaps involving some boneheaded "new friend" whacking the O for being a mortad.

"France's Mali intervention crucial to prevent rise of jihadist state.

"Despite the many risks, Hollande believes he must interfere in the battle
against Islamist rebels in order to prevent the creation of a jihadist state."

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1127370/frances-mali-intervention-crucial-prevent-rise-jihadist-state?

'France 24' report (inc video clips and map):-

"France steps up air strikes in Mali's Islamist-held north"


http://www.france24.com/en/20130113-ecowas-african-troops-expected-mali-islamists-france


The French will kick the Islamists ass.

In the meantime what is Obama doing?

"France has been in contact with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about the situation, as well as its African and European allies, according to Le Drian.

The U.S. military is weighing its options -- which could include logistical support and intelligence sharing with France -- said a U.S. defense official, who declined to be named because no decisions have been made."
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/12/world/africa/mali-france/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Translation. The French are attacking the Islamists - damn. What the hell am I to do? Can't condemn their action - wont go down well as the supposed leader of the free world.

Ok I will "weigh my options" ie do nothing and hope the Islamists do as much damage to the French as possible in the meantime.

When they are defeated I will come in - in support of the French.

look no further than iran...
m

Yup.

iran has been leaving a trail of ammo all over Africa.

It's busy supplying jihadists; and it's also been supplying ammo to the various other infidel-vs-infidel conflicts, thus making them worse and more intractable, presumably with a view to weakening non-Muslim Africa.


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4331446,00.html

Munitions survey links Iran to African conflicts


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/world/africa/a-trail-of-bullet-casings-leads-from-africas-wars-to-iran.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world&_r=0

A Trail of Bullet Casings Leads From Africa’s Wars Back to Iran

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