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FRANCE HAS WITHDRAWN its first batch of soldiers from Mali, the army said today, as it begins to pull out troops sent to battle Islamist fighters in the west African nation.
Paris – which sent 4,000 troops to Mali in January to block a feared advance on the capital Bamako from the north by Islamist fighters – is preparing to hand over to a UN-mandated African force of 6,300 in the coming weeks.
It will gradually pull its soldiers out of the country – where its intervention has driven insurgents from most of their northern strongholds – but plans to leave a permanent 1,000-strong force to fight terrorism.
The military’s chief of staff said around 100 soldiers had been withdrawn and sent to Paphos in Cyprus yesterday, where they will spend three days in a hotel before heading back to France.
They belonged to parachute units of the army that had been deployed in the Tessalit region of northeast Mali, where heavy fighting against Islamists took place, said Thierry Burkhard, chief of staff spokesman.
Poorly paid, ill-equipped and badly organised Malian army
The Malian military – poorly paid, ill-equipped and badly organised – fell apart last year in the face of an uprising by ethnic Tuareg rebels who seized the vast arid north in chaos following a March coup, before losing control to well-armed Islamists.
The extremists terrorised locals with amputations and executions performed under their brutal interpretation of sharia Islamic law, drawing global condemnation and prompting France’s January intervention.
While French-led troops have inflicted severe losses on the Islamists, soldiers are still battling significant pockets of resistance in Gao, as well as in the fabled desert city of Timbuktu.
France this weekend launched one of its largest actions since its intervention – an offensive that swept a valley thought to be a logistics base for Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists near Gao.
Rebel support
In this region, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) – the most active Islamist rebel group on the ground – still has the support of some of the population.
But according to an intelligence expert, the Islamist rebels’ ability to inflict severe damage remains limited.
“In three months, the amount of terrorist activity has been very low, if nearly non-existent,” said Eric Denece, head of the French Centre for Intelligence Studies.
He pointed out that out of 1,500 to 2,000 known extremists, more than 600 were thought to have been killed.
“Many stockpiles of weapons, ammunition and petrol have been destroyed. Chiefs, such as Abou Zeid, have been eliminated,” he said.
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Not even one mention in this article of our own soldiers working out there.
:(
Bad form alright, I’d say its because its just lifted from the associated press and not originally written from an Irish perspective.
Mainly because we don’t really have that many at all over there. It’s just like there is never any mention of the three Irish soldiers that routinely serve in Afghanistan as training staff just as the fellas in Mali are doing.
Give it time, it’s just started, plus then the sh!t hits the fan watch the bleeding hearts come out in droves to back the so called oppressed…….
So easy to fool those who just refuse to do any research! Although I would never wish to be labelled a bleeding heart, I am interested in why, in your opinion William, France are even in Mali?
Catch 22 , the price you pay from the day the entered as tourist many years ago……
Oh right I see now, so they’re really just doing their duty as former colonists are they? Well in that case I guess they’re doing the right thing, not like any other former French colonies are currently on their knees but being ignored by the French is it (hint: Cambodia, Niger, in fact most of west Africa). Silly me thought it had something to do with uranium supplies!
If there are irish troops over there, which there are , then Lisbon 2 has lost all legality under Irish constitutional law : in my opinion.
This is a fighting force, not a peacekeeping force, although I know I will get a lot of red thumbs from our defence forces on this , this post does not mean I disrespect the force in any way and I am sure they are there with the best intentions , being there illegally is not allowable under Irish Law , a law they have swore to defend!
Uranium is the boothy, nothing is for nothing, and as for Asia, lets be honest, little smarter than our African ……
The Irish are there as part of a European Training Mission (EUTM) which, as the name suggests, is training the Malian army to a standard that will allow it to provide its own internal security.
When they reach this standard the SEPERATE French fighting force will be able to pull out as there will be no need for it there.
Lisbon II is not affected in this situation for a number of reasons. One of which is that they are on a training mission rather then an operational one.
I disagree Ian ; there were specific guarantees that Irish soldiers would not serve under a European Flag and that is the issue with particular reference to The McCrystal judgement !
The Macrystal judgement had to do with the misuse of funds, specifially in spending money on one side of the debate on the last children’s rights referendum.
It had nothing to do with Lisbon II.
Neither does the deployment of Irish soldiers in a training capacity.
We are signed up to the Partnership for Peace programme within the EU and have regularly contributed to EU battle groups – a defence and humanitarian rapid reaction force would be a better term for it.
Any deployment of Irish troops to an operational theatre still has to satisfy the triple lock system including its requirement to have a UN mandate.
There is a big difference however between an operational deployment to a war zone (Lebanon, Chad, Kosovo) and a training mission to raise the defensive capabilities of other nations through instruction of troops in a training establishment (Uganda/Somalia and Mali).
Remember, that when the proficiency of these troops reaches the levrl where they can provide their own internal security then there will be no need for external support from the French, the British, the Irish or anyone else.
Everyone wins, especially security and stability throughout the sub-Saharan region.
“We” signed ; I don’t remember that referendum !
The McCrystal judgement had to do with Misinforming the public , the method was financial; or in other words it is illegal for a Government to misinform the public about a Referendum ;
Regarding Lisbon 2 ; Lisbon 2 was “sold” on 3 items
1. It was a “paperwork” exercise ; result ? Our social welfare system became the right of every E.U. citizen ; NOT EXPLAINED !
2. Neutrality ; Irish DEFENCE forces would not be required to serve under an E.U. flag .
3. Corporation tax would not be touched !
One other thing ; you say it is different to say if you deploy to kosovo, lebanon and chad ; What about Afghanistann? Is that a warzone ? There are Taliban fighters hitting at all western targets , they see the new security forces as enemies , it would not be surprising that they would see their trainers as they might put it “legitimate targets !” i.e. They are placed in harms way in a war on one side of the conflict !
The fact that the fact the Mali government asked France for Military assistance is the reason French troops are there.
Thanks for that Mick ; I have no problem with France being there; it would be true to form of their colonial past !
Another step in the recolonization of Africa – and the continuing robbing of its resources . Wonder waht the name of this new African force is – AFRICOM .
An article from Znet worth reading – . but the French are still leaving 25 % of their troops in mali – - as advisors , presumably . we know why Gadaffi was murdered – such idea s that he had did not go down well in US and UK /France – ie the pan African Union – with no petro dollars .
Talk of the West aiding africa – ir having concerts eg Live Aid etc or pop stras helping Africa are just one big sick joke . Either these guys are in on the deal – or idiots .
http://www.zcommunications.org/the-african-union-algeria-and-mali-by-dan-glazebrook
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