France expected to more than triple Mali troop numbers

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Guardian

France is expected to more than triple its troop numbers in Mali as raids continue on Islamist insurgents following overnight air strikes on a small town that had been seized by the rebels.

Sources close to the French defence minister, quoted by Agence France-Presse, said French troop numbers would "progressively" reach 2,500.

President François Hollande, speaking from a French military base in Abu Dhabi at the start of a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates, said: "We will continue the deployment of forces on the ground and in the air. We have 750 troops deployed at the moment and that will keep increasing, so that as quickly as possible we can hand over to the Africans."

He said French forces in Mali had carried out further strikes overnight, "which hit their targets".

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/15/french-troops-triple-mali

[Robb]

1. We are watching a textbook uncontrolled escalation here.

[Arctic Dave]

4. Yep.

Completely reactionary and lacks planning.

[Robb]

6. Reactionary and a victim of rigid planning, I think more.

[bluedigger]

7. Still a small force.

2,500 is only two or three battalions of troops and the minimum needed to sustain itself during combat operations. I believe that the planned force to be supplied by neighboring states was only 3,000, but they won't be ready for months, and are of dubious quality for anything more than "peacekeeping" operations.

From all accounts the Mali government forces are collapsing, and the rebels are a rough crowd. If anyone knows the dangers of escalation and entrapment it's the French. I'm glad the French are still willing to stand up and fight.

[ellisonz]

10. "I'm glad the French are still willing to stand up and fight."

[MynameisBlarney]

2. Wonderful

What could possibly go wrong?

[samsingh]

5. someone has to stop the slaughter

[Comrade Grumpy]

11. ...or escalate it.

[samsingh]

13. we know there is a slaughter without intervention

so we need intervention that is appropriate and effective, without creating more massacres

[malthaussen]

8. Calling Georges Santayana...

Funny they choose Mali... I know there's gold in them thar hills, but enough to make it worth it? I think we can reasonably discount any mouth noises made about "humanitarian interests."

-- Mal

[Puzzledtraveller]

9. Wag the poodle?

[pampango]

12. From EuroNews: EU debate over French support in Mali heats up

Military support comes in many different forms. And as France continues it’s intervention in Mali, the wider EU debate over just what kind of assistance to give to the French rages on.

Didier Reynders, Belgium’s Foreign Minister reiterated his country’s desire to back the operation. “We want to work together behind France but also in the international operation that should take over, and I hope it does so quickly.”

Whilst Germany has confirmed logistical and medical support, Denmark will send another Hercules to add to the British air support.

And Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief echoed those comments of EU solidarity. “We need to accelerate our course of action. We want to deploy that mission as quickly as possible and certainly quicker than planned. Those circumstances have changed.”

http://www.euronews.com/2013/01/15/eu-debate-over-french-support-in-mali-heats-up/