"Salafi-jihadis in Mali have got a huge problem: they chose the wrong battlefield. If this was Syria.........."
[The same applies on Salafi-jihadis in Sinai, but as far as I see the target is Algria and Mauritania] Algerian army launches final assault on gas complex
Unlike
their Algerian counterparts, Mauritanians are overwhelmingly against France’s
attacks on Mali. Local clerics have issued a fatwa stating that France’s true
aim is an occupation, while others fear spillover from the border region.
"... Salafi-jihadis in Mali have got a huge problem: they chose the wrong battlefield. If this was Syria, they would have been showered by now with weapons, logistical bases, a London-based "observatory", hours of YouTube videos and all-out diplomatic support by the usual suspects of US, Britain, Turkey, the Gulf petromonarchies and - oui, monsieur - France itself. ..."
""We will fight until we establish an Islamic state in Syria ... we will not let go until we achieve our goal."
"... "We are an Islamic group, and we want to establish an Islamic country when the [Syrian President Bashar al-]Assad era ends," said Rami. Rami claimed to have no knowledge of Mouaz Alkhatib, the former imam of a Damascus mosque and the new, internationally recognized leader of the Syrian opposition."Most of the fighters just fight because Assad is evil, but they don't know anything about this guy or the opposition outside. They just believe Assad needs to go." He then stressed, "We will fight until we establish an Islamic state in Syria. Even the 75% of the Free Syrian Army is fighting with this in mind. We don't want it as strict as Saudi Arabia, but we will not let go until we achieve our goal."..."
African Leaders Call for Global Intervention in Mali
Local Editor
West African leaders Saturday called for greater international involvement in Mali as they met to speed up the deployment of regional troops to boost a French-backed offensive against al-Qaeda-linked groups in the African country.
The emergency summit in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan was also attended by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius who clearly said it was time for the Africans to take over and "as soon as possible", adding that this was "the aim of our meeting."
"France was obliged to intervene very, very rapidly, otherwise there would have been no more Mali," Fabius said on his arrival in Abidjan. "But it is well understood that it is the Africans that must pick up the baton."
France said Saturday it had 2,000 of the 2,500 troops it had pledged on the ground in Mali, amid fears that the vast arid north which the rebels control could become a haven for Islamist militants and threaten security both in the region and overseas.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, who is also current head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc, said it was high time other countries did their bit in Mali.
"The hour has come for a broader commitment by the major powers and more countries and organisations to the military operations to show greater solidarity with France and Africa in the total and multi-faceted war against terrorism in Mali," said Quattara at the star
t of the meeting.
ON GROUND
Malian soldiers, backed by French troops and air power, retook the key central town of Konna on Thursday from Al-Qaeda-linked rebels who had swooped down more than a week ago from their northern stronghold and threatened the capital Bamako .
There were conflicting reports on another town Diabaly, which the Malian army claimed was recaptured but this was effectively denied by the French defense ministry.
On Saturday Malian troops said they were poised to enter Diabaly, about 400 kilometers north of Bamako.
"The enemy has fled and we are ready to enter," Colonel Kaba Sangare told AFP. "We are simply awaiting orders."
Local Editor
West African leaders Saturday called for greater international involvement in Mali as they met to speed up the deployment of regional troops to boost a French-backed offensive against al-Qaeda-linked groups in the African country.
The emergency summit in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan was also attended by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius who clearly said it was time for the Africans to take over and "as soon as possible", adding that this was "the aim of our meeting."
"France was obliged to intervene very, very rapidly, otherwise there would have been no more Mali," Fabius said on his arrival in Abidjan. "But it is well understood that it is the Africans that must pick up the baton."
France said Saturday it had 2,000 of the 2,500 troops it had pledged on the ground in Mali, amid fears that the vast arid north which the rebels control could become a haven for Islamist militants and threaten security both in the region and overseas.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, who is also current head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc, said it was high time other countries did their bit in Mali.
"The hour has come for a broader commitment by the major powers and more countries and organisations to the military operations to show greater solidarity with France and Africa in the total and multi-faceted war against terrorism in Mali," said Quattara at the star
t of the meeting.ON GROUND
Malian soldiers, backed by French troops and air power, retook the key central town of Konna on Thursday from Al-Qaeda-linked rebels who had swooped down more than a week ago from their northern stronghold and threatened the capital Bamako .
There were conflicting reports on another town Diabaly, which the Malian army claimed was recaptured but this was effectively denied by the French defense ministry.
On Saturday Malian troops said they were poised to enter Diabaly, about 400 kilometers north of Bamako.
"The enemy has fled and we are ready to enter," Colonel Kaba Sangare told AFP. "We are simply awaiting orders."
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian 
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