Mali: French-led soldiers 'in control of Gao'

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

French-led troops in Mali have taken control of the northern town of Gao, the French defence ministry has said.

The town was previously a stronghold of Islamist fighters after it was seized by an alliance of Tuareg rebels and Islamists last April.

French-led troops moved into Gao itself after earlier securing the airport and a strategic bridge to the south.

Gao was one of the first places targeted by French airstrikes when it began its military intervention.



Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21210496

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More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/26/french-troops-mali-gao-airport

[TwilightGardener]

1. Seems to be going fairly smoothly so far. They don't have that many ground troops there.

(a few thousand?)

[Lasher]

4. It helps to have backing from the residents.

Locals have been calling in to identify airstrike targets. I guess they don't think it's proper to hack off people's hands if they are caught stealing.

[Posteritatis]

7. About 2,500 French troops and I think three times that from neighbouring countries

Most of the ECOWAS members are sending personnel from the looks of it.

(And Mali's military as well, of course, but they're kinda hors de combat at this point.)

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. After the US, China, and Israel

I think the French have the best trained military. Yes, the Russians and the British might grumble (and the Germans might, too), but I don't think you'd want a division of French troops standing against you.

Let the ignorant insults commence.

[bluedigger]

3. Kind of a meaningless comparison.

There's leadership, training, discipline, and equipment. All count, and are we talking rank and file troops or elite units? The larger the force the more variety in quality can be expected. All the countries you mention have excellent elite units. I'd add in the Koreas, both North and South, and Australia. I wouldn't like to match up with any of them.

[Lasher]

5. Let the ignorant insults commence.

Hee hee, I like that. Much better than this:

[Posteritatis]

6. To say nothing of an FFL regiment, which is the case here. (nt)

[daleo]

8. How long do the French plan to stay?

Because that's the difficult part. Furthermore, how long can they support a government that was installed via a military coup, and whose soldiers are committing atrocities?

[DCBob]

9. I hope they can take back Timbuktu..

the islamist rebels have reportedly already destroyed many important historical sites there.

[arely staircase]

12. i thought they had retaken it

and yes the fundies were destryoying things there.

[DCBob]

13. yes they did.. today.

I posted this yesterday, so I got my wish.

[jsr]

10. The northern part is as big as France

Good luck to them.

[Lasher]

11. I've gotta give Obama some credit here.

He has resisted involvement in new entanglements like this. I think intervention in Mali is justified, but I don't think the USA should take the lead every time.