Why it's a bad day to be an Islamist militant in Mali, international resistance grows against rebels

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
1/18/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Islamists seek to create independent state by force.

It's a bad day to be an Islamist militant in Mali. French airstrikes continued for the fourth consecutive day and more nations have pledged support for the government as French troops arrive to combat Islamist militants in the west-African nation.

Deploying French Marines stand at the ready to defend Mali from Islamists.

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PARIS, FRANCE (Catholic Online) - Government sources have confirmed the obvious, that the military operation in Mali is ongoing and intensifying as French military forces strike hard at Islamist positions in northern Mali.

While aircraft pound Islamists from the air, French troops are pouring into the region. Additional support is coming from other nations, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, and the United States are sending transport planes to carry French troops and supplies to the region.

The U.S. government has also promised to provide intelligence support for the French effort. Presently, the first of many American advisers are on the ground in Africa to assist French forces with pre-deployment preparations.

The European Union has also agreed to provide support training for Malian troops.

Militant Islamists have been slowly taking control of northern Mali for some time, village by village. The efforts have been well organized. Those who have refused to convert to Islam have reported efforts to compel them by force.

Sharia law has been imposed and enforced in several villages. Numerous reports of floggings, mutilations, and executions have been reported including the stoning of a couple accused of adultery and multiple forced amputations.

Several historic shrines and sites in Timbuktu have been damaged or destroyed according to reports.

The United Nations is investigating these claims and has referred them to the International Criminal Court for prosecution.

The Islamists made their thrust into southern Mali after a coup which destabilized the government last year. Their goal is to form an independent Islamist state in northern Mali.

As the Islamists threatened to seize the city of Bamko, the French government, an ally of the Malian government, decided to react. President Hollande has called the decision "necessary."

According to the government the Islamists are heavily involved in trafficking among other behaviors and are seeking to destabilize the region in a bid to take control from secular authorities across West Africa.

"Our duty is to put an end to this, and France assumes its responsibility," President Hollande said.

� 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Islam, Mali, militants, rebels, France, United States, European Union, support, logistical, Hollande

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1 - 2 of 2 Comments

JOHN237
4 months ago
France under Holland is no America and not under Bush or even Obama. It was a blunder by Holland to start an undeclared war without proper authorization, planning and preparation and above all backing of NATO and the super power America. America and many of his supporters have been almost bankrupted fighting with Jihadi groups around the globe and have no appetite left to start another war with AL-QAIDA. Let see what Holland will get out of his this mis-adventure.
Paul-Emile Leray
4 months ago
While Islamists seek to create an independent state by force, according to what is written above, did the British, French, German empires not also seek to increase their control by force? Does globalization not have similar parallels present with, when analyzing, past empires? It is truly hypocritical how terms such as bullying, self defense, the good guys and the bad guys; are often used in subjective definition of terms. Before some idiot accuses me of being pro-Islamist (which I am not), let it also be clear that Europe is very guilty of a culture of death as well. Between abortion, euthanasia, gay marriages, the corporate crimes on Wall Street, multi-nationals and politicians making a mess in the Gulf of Mexico, various geo-political ties between countries; and then, the west pass themselves off as the good guys? Without the world's natural ressources, western Europe would be where? It's colonization or helping people when it serves your interests; but terrorism when people revolt against you? With no intent other than to stimulate thought towards greater objective truth, I put this forth. Yes, many terrorists have guns. And many of them are wearing suits passing laws and leading countries after having been democratically elected as well, or working inside large corporations and financial institutions! Humans? Vicious. The Catholic Church's teachings would certainly help, but are not many churches in western Europe often empty? 2000 years after Jesus walked the earth, yet this is the state of the world? And the Cadaver Synod wasn't exactly a fine example of Catholic leadership either, was it? Questionning someone AFTER they are dead? And older generations scratch their heads wondering why so many younger generations are afraid to marry and have families? Because the past few thousand years have been such a horrible example; that, to be certain, is one reason. Our ancestors were stupid, that's another reason. If 2 world wars in the past century alone aren't enough to convince you, then what is? Humans are nuts, which is why I sometimes wish I didn't belong to this species to begin with! Power, money, control, oppression, coercion, ideologies, and round and round the world spins on the planet of the apes dressed in their various suits and uniforms playing out their roles and acting out their scripts. When will the day arrive when there is no more fighting on the planet? And to those laughing, at the previous question, why pray for peace, love, justice unless we actually believe in the possibility becoming reality? The level of consciousness of most people? Let us be peaceful on Sundays, to then plunder and pillage one another the other 6 days! Let us say peace be with you, behaving as angels for 45 minutes to one hour inside the Church, to then plunder and pillage the other 167 hours of the week! I honestly fear that this is the level of awareness in the world. It is depressing.
Paul-Emile Leray

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