29/01/2013
By Alex Lantier, WSWS*, 29 January 2013 – The imperialist powers are escalating the war in Mali. Britain has pledged to deploy troops, and the US is planning a base for drone aircraft in the region, as French troops marched into the rebellious north of its former colony.
**Image: Malian children playing football in a Dogon village | Photo: Jelle Jansen from Soesterberg, Netherlands | Wikimedia Commons
British authorities said they would deploy hundreds of troops, concentrating on training French-backed Malian government forces and providing “force protection” for the trainers. British Special Forces are already reportedly in Mali, working with the French. Britain has also sent C-17 transport aircraft to help France deploy troops to Mali.
The announcement came after talks Sunday between British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President François Hollande.
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Posted in Africa, Market Lords, Mother Earth, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples, War Lords |
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29/01/2013
By Russia Today (RT)*, 29 January 2013 – The US is planning to consolidate its position in Africa with a new drone outpost in Niger, with the stated purpose of providing unarmed surveillance support to French efforts in Mali and keeping tabs on al-Qaeda elements on the continent.
**Predator launching a Hellfire missile| Author: Brigadier Lance Mans, Deputy Director, NATO Special Operations Coordination Centre | Public Domain.
The robotic unmanned aircraft would likely be based in Niger, on the eastern border of Mali, where French forces are currently waging a campaign against Al-Qaeda, AFP reported, quoting an anonymous official.
If the plan is approved, up to 300 US military servicemembers and contractors could be sent to the base to operate the drone aircraft, the New York Times reported. US Africa Command is also considering another location as an alternative to the base in Burkina Faso, the official said.
However, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland reiterated that there are no plans to commit US troops to any fighting on the ground.
In the future, the US command does not rule out using the base to conduct military strikes if the situation deteriorates or the extremist threat increases, military officials told The New York Times.
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