This thread has been started at the suggestion of Le petit caporal. The operation is no longer limited to Mali and is the follow up to operations Serval and Épervier.
Remember Opération Épervier. Launched to help then Chadian Pdt Hissène Habré to fight back Libyan incursions in his country, to support their ‘protégé’ Goukouni Oueddeye. Started in Feb 1986 and remained active until Aug 2014, when it was replaced by the broader Opération Barkhane, so 28 years in total. Épervier came after another operation, code-named Manta in 1983-84.Barkhane: from what I understand (mes tuyaux, médias, déclarations of various politicians and ex-généraux à la retraite and now wannabe councilors, all agree), Barkhane is here to stay minimum 5 years... or more ! (...)
Again I totally agree. I guess that's never ending war like mid east becoming. Some wars in Africa will last probably forever. Operations will change names, maybe even perpetrators will change, but war will stay for long time. I mean I don't know much about it, I ask what are goals in operation Barkhane? Are there clearly defined? And most Important is there plan or even possible way how that could be done?(...) Barkhane : the most optimist say at least 5 years will be necessary, middle of the roaders, say 10 and the pessimist are saying 15, and even then... (...)
Morroco is considered NATO freindly
Weapons Algeria recieves from Iran
The Front Polisario is claiming rights over the former Spanish colony called Spanish Sahara, with the provinces of Seguia el-Hamra in the North and Rio de Oro in the South. It's shown in red on the map below with legend in French “Sahara espagnol”. Spanish Sahara voted for their independence from Spain in 1975 and Morocco then immediately tried to annex it (the so-called “Green March” in Nov 75), claiming old links between the two territories and opposing the Polisario who on the other hand decided the creation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which is not recognised officially by the UN. Algeria, who didn't want to see their archrival Morocco become too big a country, opposed the annexation and supported politically and, covertly, militarily the Polisario. 42+ years later, little has changed...(...) Front Polisario, fight for the disputed territory called, Sahrawi (bordering Algeria Morocco Mauritanie), in Western Sahara. (...)
SAMs 9 & 11s and Strellas. Iran is the main energy supplier for China which provides financial aid to the Sahwari refugees camps in Algeria.(...) What types of weapon, Russian? If it is made in NATO then is most likely just propaganda.
Yes, and they planning to increase influence and presence in former colonies.France will never leave so-called “Françafrique”. There are too many economic and political interests at stake. The names will change, the missions will remain the same.
The only way French troops aren't in the Sahel is if they are dragged out like in Algeria or Indochina.