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Opération “Barkhane”

Le petit caporal

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38 killed in the center of Mali (am off for lunch, will post more information later).
 

Peter Lyderik

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From the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world...09bf0b197fca066d235bd0&pinned_post_type=share

Dozens dead in latest round of Mali violence
Attacks on two villages in central Mali have left at least 38 people dead.
The victims are reportedly mostly from the Dogon ethnic group and Monday's attacks on Gangafani and Yoro appear to be the latest round of violence in a series of ethnic clashes.
A government statement quoted by the AFP news agency describes the incidents as "terrorist attacks".
Earlier this month, 35 people died when the Dogon village of Sobame Da was targeted.
In March, more than 130 Fulani people were killed in an attack on a village, also in central Mali, by armed men wearing traditional Dogon hunters' clothing.
President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has called for an end to the cycle of violence but people are now criticising his government for failing to stamp it out.
 

Rapace

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Ancestral tribal rivalries mixed up with jihadists blowing on the embers... This is at least the second of third similar attack in the last couple of months, each of them triggering a revenge in return. And that's how you end up with a nice dirty little war.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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I get things like this nearly every morning coming from my counterpart (ex-legionnaire 23+service 3rd CIE REP A/C Jim C). It was thanks to him that I got taken on here in Mali. He works for the mining company Hummingbird as their security manager. I work for the mining company AMS. It just goes to show how old contacts can come in handy:
I got this one early this morning:

Event
Unidentified militants ambushed a Malian military (FAMa) patrol near Gossi (Tombouctou region) on Tuesday, June 18. According to security officials, the soldiers suffered casualties and “material losses” during the attack. Reinforcements were reportedly deployed into the area following the incident. Further such incidents are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context
Due to the presence of various armed groups, Mali's northern and central regions remain unstable despite the presence of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions in the world.

Advice
The security environment in Mali remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.

Due to the underlying terrorist and kidnapping threats prevalent in the country, all those present in Mali are advised to remain discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.



Source: Crisis24

No big deal you might say. However it has to be asked what do they call "material losses". Uniforms? weapons? Vhls, these can all be used to help the bad guys get onto a post (offices on a mine) and start mowing people down.
Whenever we have a visitor from the capital, Bamako, they are always accompanied by the garde national (useless). Yesterday the escort turned up and two of them made to go towards the offices, armed with a rusty light machine gun and a pistol each. I stopped them and said that there is no way that they were going into the offices armed.
Mr. Fat guy tells me that he's with FAMa with the escort. I tell him I don't care he's not going in the offices armed.
He looks at me and then says that he's going to the toilet, which is on the left of the offices. He then asks me if he's allowed to take a p$ss.

He says something hilarious to the guards in Bambara. I then give the guards a right B*llocking for letting them just walk through the gates armed. I'm not saying that there was a chance that they were terrorists, I was more worried about an ND (negligent Discharge).

You have to be diplomatic with these people, whether you like it or not.
 

Le petit caporal

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Side note to Barkhane
Before this presidental election there were the local /council /municipal elections. Was a total shambles... Between unsafe areas and lack of digital Id and counting the scrutin, many areas (villages went with out)

Ethnic tensions are at a high. Me thinks a civil war is the best way to describe Mali at the moment.

The ‘groupes armés’, who patrol with the FAMA (malian regulars) to secure zones, towns and villages etc. , are no more than devious nontrust worthy thugs with weapons. My opinion and mine alone. If any future wannabe eventually joins the Legion and gets posted to Mali, be prepared, be on your guard and trust no one other than your Chefs. Do not even strike up conversation with.

I said that way back ( 17 July 2018)
 

USMCRET

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Well can you at least have some 50 cals trained down the center of your serpentine?
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Well can you at least have some 50 cals trained down the center of your serpentine?
No mate, we have to rely on the Malian Gendarmerie and the Garde Nationale. My two bosses who were down here (one ex Aussi SAS and the other Brit 23 SAS are talking seriously about the four security managers, 2 Humming bird and 2 AMS all ex-legionnaires being armed (pistols). However the decision will only come about when it's too late and be classified as hindsight.
 
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No mate, we have to rely on the Malian Gendarmerie and the Garde Nationale. My two bosses who were down here (one ex Aussi SAS and the other Brit 23 SAS are talking seriously about the four security managers, 2 Humming bird and 2 AMS all ex-legionnaires being armed (pistols). However the decision will only come about when it's too late and be classified as hindsight.
Sort them out Joe. :) stay safe man.
 

USMCRET

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No mate, we have to rely on the Malian Gendarmerie and the Garde Nationale. My two bosses who were down here (one ex Aussi SAS and the other Brit 23 SAS are talking seriously about the four security managers, 2 Humming bird and 2 AMS all ex-legionnaires being armed (pistols). However the decision will only come about when it's too late and be classified as hindsight.
Ouch, the private contractor world is not the same as when you can train heavy guns for the instance they try to run the Serpentine. I bet you'd kill for a M2 50 and Mark 19 Grenade Machine Gun.
 

Le petit caporal

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Private contractors are limited in the caliber they can use : 7. 62 NATO, I believe? Anything heavier would class them as mercenaries... and there are international laws. They are body protection for others.
 

SnafuSmite

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No mate, we have to rely on the Malian Gendarmerie and the Garde Nationale. My two bosses who were down here (one ex Aussi SAS and the other Brit 23 SAS are talking seriously about the four security managers, 2 Humming bird and 2 AMS all ex-legionnaires being armed (pistols). However the decision will only come about when it's too late and be classified as hindsight.
You gents should really at least have a sidearm on you. Not sure how reliable the local blokes are if sh!t really hits the fan. Sidearm will do nothing against a vehicle but it might buy you a few seconds. Stay safe Joe.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Just gave a 40 minute slide show to the New overall boss of the mining company (AMS) I work for. Luckily the regional security manager, who has the gift of the gab was present, because I am not a talker. o_OWhat is worse was when he asked me some questions, I was getting mixed up with French words. The regional Sec manager (ex 23 SAS) speaks fluent French, he actually lives in France, would come to my rescue😏
 
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Just gave a 40 minute slide show to the New overall boss of the mining company (AMS) I work for. Luckily the regional security manager, who has the gift of the gab was present, because I am not a talker. o_OWhat is worse was when he asked me some questions, I was getting mixed up with French words. The regional Sec manager (ex 23 SAS) speaks fluent French, he actually lives in France, would come to my rescue😏
Don’t worry man... You are a man of Action not a talker. 😆
 
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Reminds me of when I was in school here doing Sport und fitnesskaufmann.. I had to do a Power point presentation.. Did not have a scoobies... 😆 Blagged my way through it...
 

jonny

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I get things like this nearly every morning coming from my counterpart (ex-legionnaire 23+service 3rd CIE REP A/C Jim C). It was thanks to him that I got taken on here in Mali. He works for the mining company Hummingbird as their security manager. I work for the mining company AMS. It just goes to show how old contacts can come in handy:
I got this one early this morning:

Event
Unidentified militants ambushed a Malian military (FAMa) patrol near Gossi (Tombouctou region) on Tuesday, June 18. According to security officials, the soldiers suffered casualties and “material losses” during the attack. Reinforcements were reportedly deployed into the area following the incident. Further such incidents are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context
Due to the presence of various armed groups, Mali's northern and central regions remain unstable despite the presence of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions in the world.

Advice
The security environment in Mali remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.

Due to the underlying terrorist and kidnapping threats prevalent in the country, all those present in Mali are advised to remain discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.



Source: Crisis24

No big deal you might say. However it has to be asked what do they call "material losses". Uniforms? weapons? Vhls, these can all be used to help the bad guys get onto a post (offices on a mine) and start mowing people down.
Whenever we have a visitor from the capital, Bamako, they are always accompanied by the garde national (useless). Yesterday the escort turned up and two of them made to go towards the offices, armed with a rusty light machine gun and a pistol each. I stopped them and said that there is no way that they were going into the offices armed.
Mr. Fat guy tells me that he's with FAMa with the escort. I tell him I don't care he's not going in the offices armed.
He looks at me and then says that he's going to the toilet, which is on the left of the offices. He then asks me if he's allowed to take a p$ss.

He says something hilarious to the guards in Bambara. I then give the guards a right B*llocking for letting them just walk through the gates armed. I'm not saying that there was a chance that they were terrorists, I was more worried about an ND (negligent Discharge).

You have to be diplomatic with these people, whether you like it or not.
Oh Joe, you are having so much fun. I wish I could be there with you. But 79 is a bit over the hill, I suppose?
 

Le petit caporal

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Need assistance
I have a picture of the Estonian army detatchment (Gao) using their 1.4 tonne Robot.
I tried to up load on here
"File too big"
It would be easier for some one with more savvy than me to do it
You can find the pic on the french army forum, "Au Militaire"...thread, Barkhane
Thanx a billion
 

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