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Eric Gaillard / Reuters
A car displaying French and Malian flags drives on a road in the centre of Bamako on Jan. 19, 2013. Islamist rebels in Mali abandoned the central town of Diabaly on Friday after fleeing a French air strike, military sources said, while West African troops arrived in Bamako to take on the insurgents in Mali's north.
NIONO, Mali -- On the liberated streets of the Malian town of Niono, French flags haven't fluttered like they do today since colonial times. But the old imperial powers are now back -- and they are, for the most part, welcome.
"Vive la France!" shouted Emmanuel, a 64-year-old local doctor, as French supply vehicles move through the town on their way toward the front line. He remembers well how he celebrated when he heard that Mali had won independence from France in 1960. But today, he feels the same jubilation, and has bought a tricolor flag for $1 dollar to celebrate.
France has been accused of neo-colonialism for its intervention in Mali. It now has 2,000 troops on the ground attempting to seize control of the northern desert region from Islamist rebels who are suspected of creating a haven for al-Qaida terrorists to attack the West.
But when his town was threatened by an advance of jihadists, Emmanuel began to view "the old oppressors" with new eyes.
"They came to help us when no one else would, and for that we like them," he said.
The flags that hang from buildings, lorries and motorbikes in Niono are evidence that many people support the French operation to "save Mali" from an army of extremists who had come dangerously close to communities like this one.
On the outskirts of the desert, the fabled town of Niono typifies much of Mali's enchanting beauty. Its charming square and stunning mosque have endured countless wars to tell the story of a beautiful nation with a rich architectural heritage. This is the other side of a war-ravaged nation, which, tragically, seems likely to become the epicenter of the new global fight against terrorism.
Compare the drug traffic fueled economy and beatings of northern Mali to the friendly street trade and bustle of beautiful Niono and it becomes clear which lifestyle most people here prefer.
At the nearest hospital, in the provincial town of Segou, Dr. Saoussoub Camara admits that even hardened medics have succumbed to "a sense of nationalism." He leads us to a ward in the ramshackle complex, which has been devoted to military casualties.
Six weary Malian soldiers lie in their beds. They are badly bruised but not broken. Although some suspect that the French have underestimated the ferocity of their enemy, others are confident they will eventually succeed.
Eric Feferberg / AFP - Getty Images
A Malian man wears a French and a Malian flag on his head.
"With the help of the French we will beat the Islamists," said 30-year-old Sgt. Malik Dombia, who was shot in the leg by advancing militants.
"They deal drugs and buy guns -- they are not even proper Muslims. If I am asked to return to the front line to help my French comrades, I would not hesitate to say 'yes.'"
But 67-year-old Aboubacrine Dicko is less enthused by the French mission. As he lies on the ground under a tree, he struggles to move. He broke an arm and injured his legs as he raced to mount his donkey to join the exodus from the nearby town of Diabaly, which was overrun by Islamists, then bombarded by French fighter jets.
"The French bombing destroyed my home. They must end this soon or there will be resentment," he said.
But France has promised that its military operation will be swift. The people of Niono desperately hope so.
Related content:
Violence in Mali, Algeria raises fresh fear of radical Islam
African forces begin arriving in Mali to aid battle against rebels
Leave a Comment:
I think this clearly shows, when they stand up to these jihadists they will defeat them. The whole free world needs to stand up to them.
Would french be as much forgiving if somebody occupied their ass first and then asked for forgiveness while keeping an eye on natural resources like platinum and gold?
Terrorism / extremism .... yeah yeah yeah... Let me get back to my TV.
The Islamists are their own worst enemies, with their brutal form of 'leadership'.
Unfortunately, once they get in control, it's very difficult to get them out because they would rather kill everyone than give up power.
Brutal dictators indeed.
Remember when me and my friends in the media laughed at Mitt Robme for suggesting that terrorists were gaining strength in Mali, and you dopes laughed with us? Those were the days. I sure owe the media big time.
"Vive la France!" for sure and thank you France for stepping in, someone needs to sometimes....
Just please don't enslave them, they are easy targets....
Merci France, Mali, and Algeria for all you did for the Americans who were taken hostage, and you are not to blame for any of the deaths. As for B.O., you continue to "stand down" on these issues, Americans will continue to be murdered, Drones will continue to kill innocent people, and you will be the most hated person in the world.
Hello folks, here we go again. How many countries do we have to bomb and how many millions of people do we have to kill and displace before enough is enough? In our short history we have bombed well over 65 countries and in our short 236 year history we have been at war for 217 of our 236 year history. Here is another case of having to fight Jihadists that we armed in Libya. The US plans to send “Army teams” (troops) to 35 African countries this year.
RT: US will provide France airlift help, ‘training’ for Mali
operation – reports
Published: 18 January, 2013, 02:07
Edited: 18 January, 2013, 09:29
Washington has agreed to provide France with airlifts to help move troops and equipment in the country’s operation in Mali, an official told Reuters. Meanwhile, a group of US military trainers are expected to arrive in the region by the weekend.
The decision to boost Washington’s contribution to the French-led military operation against Islamist rebels in Mali comes after a formal review of the French request by the Obama administration.
The US Military’s plans include starting US Air Force cargo flights on Friday. C-17 and larger C-5 aircraft will likely be used in the operation. The US could also provide aerial refueling for French aircraft, and deploy surveillance drones.
Chair of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey pointed out that France had not asked for US help in any lethal operations.
In addition to reports that Washington will help French and Malian forces by way of airlift support for getting troops and equipment to the battlefield, CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that US military trainers “will be on the ground by this weekend.”
The French intervention in Mali “is going to be a long, drawn out war,” UK-based political analyst Dan Glazebrook told RT.
“This is a ground invasion of Africa, and they’re hoping – France, Britain and the US – are hoping to establish a permanent military presence; an occupation of Africa. And this is one way they’re going to be able to do it,” he explained.
Glazebrook said the hostage crisis at an Algerian gas plant which was sparked by France’s intervention in Mali is an intended consequence of France’s ground invasion.
“Spillover is part of the program…the aim of the strategy of intervention in Mali. What happened since the execution of Gaddafi and the destruction of Libya is that the West armed, funded and equipped these death squads effectively in Libya. The flow of weapons and fighters spread then across the region, which was again, playing into the program of the West to destabilize the region, and they ended up in Northern Mali,” Glazebrook argues.
The War On Terror Spreads to Africa: U.S. Sending Troops to 35 African Nations
Posted on January 12, 2013 by WashingtonsBlog
America Sets Its Sights On Controlling African Resources … And Reducing Chinese Influence
The U.S. is sending troops to 35 African nations under the guise of fighting Al Qaeda and related terrorists.
Democracy Now notes:
U.S. Army teams will be deploying to as many as 35 African countries for training programs and other operations as part of an increased Pentagon role in Africa. The move would see small teams of U.S. troops dispatched to countries with groups allegedly linked to al-Qaeda, such as Libya, Sudan, Algeria and Niger. The teams are from a U.S. brigade that has the capability to use drones for military operations in Africa if granted permission. The deployment could also potentially lay the groundwork for future U.S. military intervention in Africa.
Good I'm glad to know my government, and military see the threat of china, and the control of rare earth metals that are needed to produce the products of the future, the countries of Africa would be better serverd to go with America on this the Chinese are using the jihadist to distabalize the continent and then they are going to arm africa and make africa a ally who the chinese can exploit for all the rare earth elements which are in abundance in africa, africa is rich they need to organize and learn about those rare earth elements and get into the game, and im a african american and i can see where this is going
You see far CH and I like it.
The Chinese are more capitalistic than America is and they do better overall because they don't spend money on troops and weapons. Heck, they probably sell them weapons.
We don't hear about them much, but they're there, and everywhere. Maybe they own a lot of America already and that is why not much is being said.
""They deal drugs and buy guns -- they are not even proper Muslims. If I am asked to return to the front line to help my French comrades, I would not hesitate to say 'yes.'""
1. Are the Islamic holy warriors, especially Sunnis, so bad?
2. These are regular scenes when the US, British, French and or NATO forces enter a nation to fight "Islamic militants". Right away, Islamic militants just vanish. They come back and hurt badly with interest. Slowly, it is another set of dramas: withdraw, withdrawing, last date for withdrawing, no French on the ground and so on.
3. French have proved to be quite useless in fighting lond drawn wars. Hope they get out soon!
4. French and British try to be smart. Many have colonial mindsets. These very French were responsible for negotiations with "good Taliban" on Afghanistan.
5. British imagine that their Queen still rules the world. They are hosting all sorts of fronts for Sunni Islamic hating and killing fronts like Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Mind you: Sunni Syrian rebels are supported by al Qaida, MB, Salaffi and the same killers with different labels are operating in Mali, Nigeria, Libya and many African nations. British want to control each and everything going on in ME, Africa and other places and decide the winner!!!!!
What are you talking about? I don't find sense but preconceived ideas in your post.
the French lost 1.5 million men in a four years war from 1914 to 1918. long enough?
the British vote, and not for the queen, and they don't want to control everything everywhere?
Colonial mindset? no, they were colonialists 200 years ago and that all completely ended 50-60 years ago. There was no slavery in that period and even if colonialism was wrong it had some positive points like modern life,medicine, education, roads, trains, vehicles. Colonialism wasn't all one way, it was unfair to the colonized but they were getting some good out of it. Usually part of the colonized population liked their colonial country and felt attached to it. Many fought in WW1 already because they felt French or British (or were forced to fight?). There was some positive consideration for the colonized by the colonialists, everybody is not an A-hole all along. It's all grey.
save the environment: The article starts with "colonial" past!
I think you need to do some research on "colonial" rule!
About French, their track records in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have been most dismal. One recent MSNBC news item described well about "cowardliness of the French."
About British. British democracy is one of the oldest. But they maintain "Queen" and large company, which does not fit for 21st century!
British forces had deals with Iranian militants in Basra and the Iraqi President was so disgusted with the British that he asked them to get out!
What can I say/post more about what you mentioned?
I don't think we as Americans are much better with long, drawn-out wars - our treasury has drained over the last decade by wars and bailouts. Even America has its limits, Jon.
Historically, the American people have always hated fighting wars with no foreseeable end or goal. We couldn't wait to get into Afghanistan after 9/11. Now we can't wait to get out. Same went for Vietnam and Korea. WW2, despite its length, HAD a foreseeable end/goal - the defeat of the Axis Powers. And the reason why the first Gulf War was so short was because the Bush Sr. Administration's goal wasn't regime change in Iraq.
Jonathan, you are speaking about the track record of France?
Vietnam, french werent involded in it, they had an expeditionary force in Indochina after WW2 which was beaten by a much bigger local force, and no one wanted to go at war at the other side of the world just after WW2, so instead of going to war, they accepted the independance of Indochina, in a general atmosphere of decolonization.By the way, b the time France signed the peace treaty, french population were still in food stamps. US troops arrived only 11 years after in Vietnam, certainly not to retake it for the french (who opposed the war) but to fight rising communism according to the domino theory.
Irak : France opposed to the war in Irak, because nobody believed in the WMD fairy tale
Afghanistan : France and UK were the first to propose their military support... france is leaving now (nobody seems to pay attention to the fact that half a dozen countries already have) because nobody see the point of it anymore. One the other side, during their presence in Afghanistan, never heard of any complaint about the french troops...
The "cowardiness of the french" is simply what remains of the attempt to destroy french image when they refused to join in Irak. I had read the article of MSNBC about it, and was really sorry to see that what I thought to be the stupidity of a few US citizens could be mirrored in mainstream media...
Ummmmm, point to your meaningless rant?
Jonathan-1982062
save the environment: The article starts with "colonial" past!
I think you need to do some research on "colonial" rule!
About French, their track records in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have been most dismal. One recent MSNBC news item described well about "cowardliness of the French."
About British. British democracy is one of the oldest. But they maintain "Queen" and large company, which does not fit for 21st century!
British forces had deals with Iranian militants in Basra and the Iraqi President was so disgusted with the British that he asked them to get out!
What can I say/post more about what you mentioned?
"warthog213-984171" France isn't big enough to take over fighting in to many places.... But its awesome that caught their escape route out the back door.... Corner the dogs so they will take on a real fight....
And BTW, Colonialism had its perks for the locals, if not at the time. Colonialism brought infrastructure, architecture, medicine. WWII was the pivitol point that Colonialism had to end. Those people fought for the Allies. Truman basically turned Churchill's arm behind his back. Colonialism had it's place in history. Some benefits for current humanity. But it is done, gone. I see the French owing up to a former colony. Just as I think the US has a special responsibility to the Phillipines, Panama and Liberia.
1 Yes, the Islamic fundamentalists (Sunni and Shias) are bad when oppressing others in the name of religion as a holy war. So it is time to give them a holy war.
2. Good point. There is no reason to occupy Mali. Just clear the Islamic militant strongholds by bombing and annihilating them and if they come back, repeat.
3. The French have done okay in Africa. Not so well in WWI or WWII or Vietnam.
4. You can't negotiate with Taliban and other Islamic militants, just kill or capture them, no preference of which.
5. I don't see the UK as thinking the Queen still rules an empire but she does yield some influence among her commonwealth as allies and protects her realm. Ask Argentina....
Spread your hatred if you must but get some valid points.
YOU ARE OF NO USE...!!!!
It is better to have your home destroyed than lead a life of tyranny !!!! With 1000 euros you can rebuilt your home, ask the french
“A man is far more likely to forgive you for killing his farther then destroying his home”
Niccolò Machiavelli
I believe the bottom line is this. Until the populace themselves stop aiding and abetting the extremists this will never end. Each person in any small town or village knows who is doing what. It is up to each individual and collectively as a group to stop these jihadists.
Don't expect others to come in and clean up your mess while you run to somewhere safer.
WHY CAN WE NOT VOTE NO TO A COMMENT...am i missing something...
We should at least make up for our bungled involvement in Libya, where we helped a side aligned with Al Qaeda and toppled a regime who posed no threat to us or NATO. We should make up for our previous stupid actions by offering air support to Mali's military. The land is mostly desert and all we have to do is bomb the bad guys from the air, the same way we did to poor Qaddafi, and force them to retreat. If we don't do that our gift to Al Qaeda in Libya will just keeps on giving and we will have Al Qaeda controlling most of West Africa.
I was unaware that the French had any spine at all...the French must have been absolutely positive that none of their "soldiers" had even the slightest chance of even a hangnail.
Dev...your unawareness shows no limits. The French are superb soldiers, the problem has always been a lack of political will. At the French Foreign Legion's Jungle Warfare Course, the vaunted US Marines ranked 24th in a grouping of 25. We send our Special Forces Operators to their course in Djibouti (as well as US Marines). Have no fear, the French can fight.
The French Foreign Legion has been fighting in the region since the 1970's, they usually have a "light foot print", but they always get the job done. Check out the Zaire mission to relieve Kolwazi in 1978, in and out in a week routing 3,500 Katanga rebels with 750 Paratroops.
Dev, you gotts get over stereotyping...it's holding you back.
The Dev, one other example of the combination of poor historical knowledge, terrible level of US broadcast media (see "french no more surrender-monkeys?" one of the recent MSNBC articles), and hollywood folklore
Do not forget the War in Algeria-French troops fought the same war America is fighting in Crapholeistan.
Dev, to paraphrase: "Better to be silent and thought a fool than to type and remove all doubt". Go back to watching reality TV.
stonepipe,
Actually quite different kind of war.
The French considered Algeria part of France, not a colony, and there were many middle class Arab Algerians who thought of themselves as French.
It was more like a civil war, that's why it was so ruthless and bloody.
Yes Rafal, agree from what I understand it. What I was saying is the tactics, brutality and the futility.
It appears that Romney was correct on Mali and all of the free world laughed. Well, I've said it before and I will say it again. All the countries of the free world are going to have to unite to irradicate these subhuman beings from existence. They will never stop until they are all blown away and for those that don't believe the reality of it, you need to do some research on these terrorist and what they have been doing for many years. The brutallity they have inflicted upon their own people as well as others in the world has been nothing short of barbaric in anyones book.
All one needs to look at is what they are doing in the gas field in the Sahara to see they will stop at nothing to get their brutal contol of any people.
Death to Islam.
i think i heard HILLARY say or someone quoted her saying we cannot KILL OUR WAY OUT OF THIS...did anyone else hear that...
If she really said that, we should ask her what she and the Obama's administration were thinking when they helped in killing Qaddafi.
Really Jim? Subhuman? Wow.
Yes Carl, subhuman. No regard for innocent life. Treat women worse than dogs. Hate ANYONE who does'nt believe what they believe. Subhuman is exactly on point.
'Hate ANYONE who doesn't believe what they believe' ... isn't that a modern liberal?
"Hate ANYONE who doesn't believe what they believe" ... isn't that a modern teabagger?
JThomas and Invisible Hand, if you want to understand what is wrong with this country today, go look in the mirror. Nothing but nonsensical partisan BS.
They are very human. That's what makes them so brutal.
Not bad, we made it 25 posts before the trolls came out with the patrisan politic BS on a story that has nothing to do with it!!
UR definitely correct, JT.
Viva la France!
To all anti colonialists above, and bellow, French colonialism put Mali on the map. Without French infrastructure input, Mali just as like any other post colonial African country, would still be somewhere in the middle ages.
It is great Mali & France can find common ground today and fight the threat from bloodthirsty Islamist savages.
Globalization may be another form of colonilaism of multi-national corporations out for profits once again. Africa is heating as a place of interest maybe related to climate change projections. Going in just to help people is hardly ever a motivation but the profit motive almost always is.
I hope they kick the islamists asses big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dam islamics do not belong in Mali. Sick of their one sided bull@!$%#. Allah would curse them.
Thank god for the French!
My only hope is that they don't stop, but proceed all they way north and recapture the entire country! I would also insure that these scumbags have no place to run to. I would position troops at every boarder crossing to insure none leave the country except in body bags.....
I pity the French. Uncle Ho Chi Minn kicked them out of indo china in the 50's then we got kicked out by the same person in the 70's. The Russinas got kicked out of Afghanistan in the 80s and we decided to try our luck for the past 11 years and we are going to quit in 2014 and come home. Now the French are trying again in Mali. Surely to hell we have more sense than helping them there. You are fighting Islamist Extremist (your words Obama) and they can get people from all over the world to kick your ass. You cannot win a religious war from the outside. Those people are Muslims first and whatever nationality next. You are fighting an idea and the only way to defeat it is kill the people with the idea.The only way to crush an idea is to crush the people. Ther French are in for another long fight to save Mali from the citizens of Mali. Let some of the UN members send troops. We can't afford another war. Remember Obama claims he will save billions when we get out of Afghanistan. Money for Afghanistn isn't even in the budget. China is paying for it.
"Proper Muslims"? I guess that would depend on who's definition you use. In Islam you are allowed to do ANYTHING, nothing is unlawful as long as your intent is to further the spread of Islam.
Extinction to Islam.
The people of the 15 African ECOWAS nations are delighted that the French have undertaken their humanitarian intervention. and nowhere is the gratitude more heartfelt than amongst the people in southern Mali. they are all too familiar with the atrocities committed by marauding hordes of islamic terrorists such as Ansar Dine and AQIM.
we have heard countless accounts from Malians who have fled the North of their country. accounts of endless killings or of stonings to death or of burning down churches or of the destruction of cultural heritages and so on and so forth. it was high time for civilised people everywhere to say that enough is enough and that the savagery must end.
The war in Mali and the hostage taking in Algeria were carried out by Islamic militants using weapons they took from Libya. NATO and the Obama administration destroyed the mad man of Libya, El Qaddafi, without any planning or consideration of what will happen in Libya. Intentionally or intentionally we "succeeded!?" in repeating our mistakes in Iraq. While Syria is witnessing the vicious battle between Al Assad regime and Al-Qaeda troops which moved in from Iraq; Mali, Algeria, and few more Western Africa countries will pay the price of our stupid actions in Libya.
Here's what I said when there was still time to retract
http://world-news.newsvine.com/_news/2011/08/27/7495123-attack-on-algerian-military-academy-kills-18?commentId=57468396#c57468396
Radical, extremist, ultra conservative Islamist's are finding the limits of their expansion. Halted in the former Yugoslavia, cut off in Indonesia/Thailand, smothered in the Philippines, and stopped cold in Chechnya. And, now, the moderate/liberal African Muslims are not going to let them go further into that massive continent. If there were/was any focused leadership (that isn't already dead) they would try to consolidate their gains in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iraq, etc.. If the Jihadists aren't careful, education, women, and democracy will stifle what gains they have made!
Where's all the "freedom fries" idiots now?
If France wasn't fighting these people, we would possibly be the ones sending troops.
Hope Ali Farka Touré is safe and sound.
These nuts are the Muslim answer to the Christian's Crusades. Religion can kill sometimes
Want to see some mean guitar ? Go to you tube . Too bad he was not invited to join toworrow's events.
"Ai du" live by Vieux Farka Toure @ Joe's Pub
Well it’ll be interesting to see how long the media keep an eye on this before it becomes old news. It’ll also be interesting to see what lessons France has learned from Afghanistan and Iraq.
If the French can learn anything from the US, learn from our mistakes. Go in. Win. Get out.
Don't try to win the hearts and minds of the people. Don't try nation building. Don't rebuild or in any way pay for the damage done to the country. Your fortune belongs to France. Don't waste it.
Bill H-1430012
You do realise there is a very big difference between what the French are doing and Mali and what the Americans are doing/did in Iraq and Afghanistan. For a start the French are supporting an existing government, not destroying it and replacing it with another like America did in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There was no functioning government in Afghanistan to destroy before and after 9-11. A very different situation than in Iraq.
Adam44
Really? I’m pretty sure the Taliban counted themselves as a government, after all they fulfilled many functions of government. Including implementing all those nasty laws the media bashed on about shortly after the invasion. Hell I do believe even the US government of George Bush recognised them as a government, what with him entertaining an envoy of theirs prior 9/11
Los, the Islamic Government led by Taliban was more interested in implementing Sharia law than in creating a real modern state. Just before 9/11 there was a civil war between the Northern alliance led by Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated on September 9, 2001, and Taliban. Bin Laden wanted to kill Massoud before his attack on the States. Look up for a video of this hero asking the West to come to his aid and telling them in no uncertain terms that unless the West stops Taliban they will be paying the price for it. Clinton was the one who did not take any meaningful action after the first WTC attack, the Embassies in Africa, the attack on our navy ship in Yemen, and happily left all this garbage for G. W. Bush to deal with it.
What is happening today in Mali is a replay of the pre 9/11 Afghanistan.
Here's some information from my trusted source, Wiki!, read them and learn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Alliance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Shah_Massoud
West Africa has a direct access to Europe and what is happening in Mali will ultimately spread all over North Africa and cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The idiots leading NATO and the United States should not have gone after Qaddafi. Yes he was crazy and yes he oppressed his opposition, but the average Libyan who minded his own business lived peacefully. Now Libya is a mess and Qaddafi's arsenal of weapons and the Jihadists who were fighting him are spread all over the Arab World and North Africa from Syria to Algeria and all the way to Mali and sub Saharan Africa.
The so called Arab Spring has turned out to be a World nightmare.
The good news is that intelligent and moderate Muslims in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Libya are fighting the MB/ Salafist goons to reclaim their countries.
The bad news is that the clueless president and some members of the congress in the United States are still trying to pretend that this foolish strategy in the Middle East is working.
Bill H is right on,lets hope the French have learned from the mistakes that we made in Irac and Afghanistan and just leave that country asap,just get in and win fast,then move out even faster,forget all that nation building and rebuilding, don't waste the French tax payers money like America did and still do,and put our economy in the gutter.