Digital Globe imagery from November 2012 shows a French C-160 Transall at Niger’s International airport in Niamey. There’s nothing really special to note about this imagery other than the aircraft itself, as it again reinforces a prior assessment made back in May.
Rebels have returned control of administrative buildings in the troubled northern Mali town of Kidal to the government even as the rebels step up their armed presence in the area, reports the Associated Press on 15NOV13. The news comes after the tragic murder of two French journalists based in Kidal working for Radio France Internationale. […]
Islamist militants executed twin suicide car bombings at an army base and a French-run uranium mine in Niger in retaliation for the country’s military involvement in neighboring Mali. According to press reporting, 23 people — including 18 soldiers, four bombers, and one civilian — were killed in a car bomb attack against Niger’s military garrison in Agadez. […]
Last week, the Department of Defense reiterated its ongoing support for the French Air Force in Mali by continuing to provide mid-air refueling to French planes. Currently, the 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron deployed to Moron Air Base, Spain has been flying KC-135 Stratotankers to support French operations. (The 351st are a part of the […]
While President Francois Hollande announced that French forces would intervene in January, satellite imagery suggests the decision was probably made at least three months prior in October 2012. Interventions are always interesting affairs. The reasons behind them quite frequently differ which is why various parties in the international community have a difficult time trying to create […]
Although announced earlier in April, the French defense minister recently reiterated France’s intention to keep around 1,000 troops in Mali to assist the approximate 12,600 UN peacekeepers expected to arrive around July 1st. “From now on we are in the post-war phase. The U.N. resolution adopted yesterday will allow for the arrival of a force to […]
