Timbuktu is now even more firmly in the control of the
Islamists (mostly AQIM), as well as the entire region surrounding the town. Most
of the Islamists' reinforcements have come from Algeria. Agence France Press
(AFP), quoting Mali security sources, reported several dozen 'white-skinned'
Algerians (i.e. Arabs) arriving in Timbuktu on the weekend of 24-25 November.
Our own field contacts who gained access to AQIM camps confirmed that dozens had
crossed over from Algeria and that French was being spoken, suggesting that some
of them may have come from France (see below). As the Algerian border is heavily
guarded and officially 'closed', this suggests that Algeria is lying to the
outside world about its border security and/or sending its own Islamists to
support AQIM.
Both are true. Algeria's DRS has been controlling the
leadership and supporting AQIM since it was established in the Sahara-Sahel
after the end of 2006. The AQIM leader, Abdelhamid Abou Zaid,
is currently in command of the Islamist forces around Timbuktu. He is
accompanied by Iyad ag Ghaly, leader of Ansar al-Din. Both men
have long been associated with Algeria's DRS.
Although we have always known about the DRS links with and
support for AQIM and Ansar al-Din, we did not know the strength of this support
until we were able to access the camps and reconnoitre the Timbuktu region this
week. This alters the military configuration of the whole region.
For more news and expert analysis about Mauritania, please see Mauritania Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates
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