Obama Authorized U.S. Participation in Botched French Somalia Mission

[Draggingtree]

PJ Media:

Obama Authorized U.S. Participation in Botched French Somalia Mission

by Bridget Johnson January 13, 2013 - 3:44 pm

President Obama informed Congress Sunday evening that U.S. forces were present in Somalia on Friday for a French raid to rescue a hostage from al-Shabaab.

The attempt to rescue the intelligence officer who had been held by the terrorist group for three years went very wrong, though.

One French commando was killed in the operation and another is missing. Al-Shabaab claimed that the commando is now their hostage.

And French army consultant Denis Allex, the pseudonym for the intelligence officer, is presumed dead.

“Extremely violent fights took place, during which everything leads us to think that Mr. Allex was shot dead by his kidnappers,” France’s Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters at a news conference Saturday. Al-Shabaab claimed Allex is still alive and in their hands.

[Draggingtree]

With French air strikes, has the war to retake northern Mali begun? (+video)

 

Today's expansion of the French air campaign beyond central Mali has left many wondering if the war has started – without much international coordination.

By Peter Tinti, Correspondent / January 13, 2013

Dakar, Senegal

France widened its military intervention in the African nation of Mali today beyond targets in the center of the country, sending fighter jets to the north to hammer training camps, infrastructure, and logistics depots used by Islamist rebels with ties to Al Qaeda.

"The president is totally determined that we must eradicate these terrorists who threaten the security of Mali, our own country, and Europe," said France's Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on French television.

The French began air strikes on Friday to counter an ambitious rebel advance southward from their strongholds in the north. While France's intervention appears to have the tacit support of the international community, the expansion of the French air campaign beyond central Mali has left many analysts wondering if a long-discussed war to retake northern Mali has begun in earnest

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2013/0113/With-French-air-strikes-has-the-war-to-retake-northern-Mali-begun-video

[foxylady]

Not sure if this was a breach of his powers or not.

[Valin]

Andy Morgan: Mali Rebellion