 |
| A member of the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) oversees a Malian fire team while conducting counter-terrorism operations in an urban terrain environment during Flintlock 10 in Theis, Senegal. The MARSOC are specialized Marines conducting special missions in unique areas, focused on capacity development under the auspices of the Trans-Saharan Counter-Terrorism Partnership. Flintlock 10 is a special operations forces exercise focused on military interoperability and capacity-building and is part of an AFRICOM-sponsored annual exercise program with partner nations in Northern and Western Africa. The exercise, which includes participation of key European nations, is conducted by Special Operations Command Africa and designed to build relationships and develop capacity among security forces throughout the Trans-Saharan region of Africa. Approximately 1,200 European, African Partner Nation and U.S. personnel from 14 nations are involved in military interoperability activities across the Trans-Saharan region during this event. (DoD photo by Max Blumenfeld/Released) Source |
Flintlock is an annual counter operation and exercise organised by Africom
in Northwest Africa with Dutch participation. This blog serves as a
collection of media reports writing about Flintlock. (The name comes
from a firearm-ignition mechanism). GlobalSecurity on the history of Flintlock. and Facebook. See Also: Flintlock 2013 (untill 14 Nov 2013)
 |
| Perconferentie Niger voor Flintlock 2014, http://lesahel.org/ |
***
June 1
***
Will Hartley, Together: Multilateral counter-terrorism exercises, Jane's Intelligence Review, June 2014, pp 14-17.
Multilateral exercises involving Western militaries and those from developing countries in Asia and Africa have increased in the last two decades. Hartley examines how these help respond to ‘new’ security threats, particularly terrorism.
***
16 May
***
Schmitt wrote glowingly about fighting terrorism with mosquito nets: “Instead of launching American airstrikes or commando raids on militants,” he wrote, “the latest joint mission between the nations involves something else entirely: American boxes of donated vitamins, prenatal medicines, and mosquito netting to combat malaria.”
Humanitarian and development missions like the ones outlined in Schmitt’s article are at the forefront of AFRICOM’s public relations campaign. But promoting AFRICOM as a humanitarian outfit is misleading at best.
To put it simply, these projects are more like a Trojan Horse: dressed up as gifts, they establish points of entry on the continent when and where they may be needed.(...)
***
19 March
***
(...) Coordination between authorities in Niger and Nigeria, meanwhile, has been hampered by poor communication. With cellphone networks unreliable, officials were forced to communicate by letters that can take three days to get between Niger and Maiduguri, according to a confidential 'early warning report' obtained by Reuters.
The document, compiled by officials from the United Nations and West African bloc ECOWAS who visited Diffa late last year, warned that Boko Haram's presence was "a serious threat that will require increased attention".
Some Western nations seem to agree. It was no coincidence that Diffa was chosen this year to host an annual U.S.-sponsored military exercise, Flintlock - though concerns over security prompted foreign troops to restrict their movements.(...)
David Lewis, INSIGHT-Niger fears contagion from Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists, Reuters, March 19, 2014
***
14 March
***
By David Lewis On a dusty training ground in Niger, US Special
Forces teach local troops to deal with suspects who resist arrest.
"Speed, aggression, surprise!" an instructor barks as two
Nigeriens wrestle a US adviser out of a car.
The drill in the border town of Diffa is part of Exercise Flintlock, a counter-terrorism exercise for nations on the Sahara's southern flanks that the United States organises each year. Washington's aim is to tackle Islamist militants in the Sahel region while keeping its military presence in Africa light.
A growing number of European nations taking part shows their increasing concern about security in West Africa. Central to the international effort is a blossoming relationship between the United States and France, the former colonial power and traditional "policeman" of the turbulent region.
When Paris deployed 4,000 troops to fight Islamist militants in neighbouring Mali last year, the US military lent a hand by airlifting French soldiers and equipment, providing intelligence and training African forces to join the operation.
French troops are stretched by hunting the militants in Mali and tackling religious violence in Central African Republic, so only a handful participated in Flintlock. Nevertheless, they welcomed their new partnership with Washington.
"The Americans want to get involved in Africa. That's good for us. We know that with the Americans it will be more efficient," said a French Special Forces officer, who asked not to be named. "We use American logistics - that's what we are missing. On the other hand, we provide the local knowledge." The United States fast-tracked the sale of 12 Reaper drones to France last year, the first two of which started operating in Niger in January alongside US drones already there.
In a reminder of the partnership, a drone quietly taxied past troops and dignitaries at Flintlock's closing ceremony in the capital of Niamey before taking off to scour the Sahara.
Military experts say direct US military action in Africa is limited to short raids on "high-value" targets in places such as Somalia and Libya, while French troops take on longer, bigger operations.
J Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the US-based Atlantic Council, said this arrangement suited US military planners who face budget cuts and a diminished American appetite for combat after conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, he warned that the French military was at the limit of its ability to strike militants hard. "If the French are not able to provide that blunt instrument, is the US willing to do so?" Nine years after the Flintlock exercises began, the enemy has evolved from a group of Algerian-dominated fighters focused on northern Mali and now threatens nations across the Sahara and the arid Sahel belt to the south.
For most of 2012, militants occupied northern Mali, a desert zone the size of France. Scattered by a French offensive last year, many are believed to be regrouping in southern Libya.
Hundreds of people are being killed every month in clashes with Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria. Many in Niger fear this conflict could spill over the border and the government in Niamey has appealed for more military support.
"Instability in neighbouring states has given everybody a new incentive," General James Linder, commander of US Special Operations Command Africa, told Reuters while visiting Niger This year's three-week Flintlock exercise - involving over 1,000 troops from 18 nations - was the biggest yet and runs alongside more permanent training by US Special Forces in Niger, Mauritania, Senegal and Chad.
Training in Diffa, only a few kilometres from where Boko Haram militants are fighting the Nigerian army across the border, ranged from basic patrolling skills and setting up checkpoints to sharing intelligence and providing medical care.
In a region where armies often lack basics such as ammunition for target practice and fuel for vehicles, the quality and tempo of the US-sponsored exercise eclipses the training most soldiers in the region receive in a year.
Colonel Mounkaila Sofiani, the local Niger commander, said Flintlock and other US initiatives helped his country to tackle threats from the west, north and south better. "Little by little people are being trained," he said. "Once there are enough, they'll form the spine of a reliable force." Training is meant to build up coordination between armies but Sofiani said just finding radio equipment compatible between nations is difficult. In the field, officers exchange mobile phone numbers to bypass blockages in official channels.
A lack of trust between governments also hinders responses. At a recent meeting of intelligence chiefs, the Nigerien and Libyan representatives argued over the risk of instability spreading from Libya's lawless south, a diplomat told Reuters.
Coups in Mauritania, Niger and Mali since the Flintlock exercises began also halted cooperation until civilian rule was restored. Mali's 2012 coup, led by a captain with US training, opened the door to the Islamist takeover of the north, prompting questions about what the years of exercises had achieved.
Pham said better military capabilities had not been matched by improvements in governance, citing a failure by Mali to tackle corruption. REUTERS Chad's military, however, has won praise for leading the charge alongside French troops in flushing out the militants from Mali's desolate northern mountains. U.S. officials stress the exercise is African-led and are wary about people reading too much into U.S. troops being on the ground near African conflicts. But the show of foreign support is popular in Diffa. "It sends a message to Boko Haram and others," said Inoussa Saouna, the central government's representative in Diffa. "Before Mali, we thought terrorism was a problem for whites but now we've experienced it ourselves."
June 1
***
Will Hartley, Together: Multilateral counter-terrorism exercises, Jane's Intelligence Review, June 2014, pp 14-17.
Multilateral exercises involving Western militaries and those from developing countries in Asia and Africa have increased in the last two decades. Hartley examines how these help respond to ‘new’ security threats, particularly terrorism.
***
16 May
***
Joeva Rock, OP-ED: MilitarisedHumanitarianism in Africa, May 16 2014 (IPS)
(...) Rather than the “shock and awe” of Iraq, the military has attempted
to put a friendly face on its expedition to Africa. This past March,
writing in the New York Times, Eric Schmitt marveled at AFRICOM’s
Operation Flintlock, a multinational and multiagency training operation
in Niger.Schmitt wrote glowingly about fighting terrorism with mosquito nets: “Instead of launching American airstrikes or commando raids on militants,” he wrote, “the latest joint mission between the nations involves something else entirely: American boxes of donated vitamins, prenatal medicines, and mosquito netting to combat malaria.”
Humanitarian and development missions like the ones outlined in Schmitt’s article are at the forefront of AFRICOM’s public relations campaign. But promoting AFRICOM as a humanitarian outfit is misleading at best.
To put it simply, these projects are more like a Trojan Horse: dressed up as gifts, they establish points of entry on the continent when and where they may be needed.(...)
***
19 March
***
(...) Coordination between authorities in Niger and Nigeria, meanwhile, has been hampered by poor communication. With cellphone networks unreliable, officials were forced to communicate by letters that can take three days to get between Niger and Maiduguri, according to a confidential 'early warning report' obtained by Reuters.
The document, compiled by officials from the United Nations and West African bloc ECOWAS who visited Diffa late last year, warned that Boko Haram's presence was "a serious threat that will require increased attention".
Some Western nations seem to agree. It was no coincidence that Diffa was chosen this year to host an annual U.S.-sponsored military exercise, Flintlock - though concerns over security prompted foreign troops to restrict their movements.(...)
David Lewis, INSIGHT-Niger fears contagion from Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists, Reuters, March 19, 2014
***
14 March
***
With training and partnerships, US
military treads lightly in Africa, The Peninsula, March 14, 2014
The drill in the border town of Diffa is part of Exercise Flintlock, a counter-terrorism exercise for nations on the Sahara's southern flanks that the United States organises each year. Washington's aim is to tackle Islamist militants in the Sahel region while keeping its military presence in Africa light.
A growing number of European nations taking part shows their increasing concern about security in West Africa. Central to the international effort is a blossoming relationship between the United States and France, the former colonial power and traditional "policeman" of the turbulent region.
When Paris deployed 4,000 troops to fight Islamist militants in neighbouring Mali last year, the US military lent a hand by airlifting French soldiers and equipment, providing intelligence and training African forces to join the operation.
French troops are stretched by hunting the militants in Mali and tackling religious violence in Central African Republic, so only a handful participated in Flintlock. Nevertheless, they welcomed their new partnership with Washington.
"The Americans want to get involved in Africa. That's good for us. We know that with the Americans it will be more efficient," said a French Special Forces officer, who asked not to be named. "We use American logistics - that's what we are missing. On the other hand, we provide the local knowledge." The United States fast-tracked the sale of 12 Reaper drones to France last year, the first two of which started operating in Niger in January alongside US drones already there.
In a reminder of the partnership, a drone quietly taxied past troops and dignitaries at Flintlock's closing ceremony in the capital of Niamey before taking off to scour the Sahara.
Military experts say direct US military action in Africa is limited to short raids on "high-value" targets in places such as Somalia and Libya, while French troops take on longer, bigger operations.
J Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the US-based Atlantic Council, said this arrangement suited US military planners who face budget cuts and a diminished American appetite for combat after conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, he warned that the French military was at the limit of its ability to strike militants hard. "If the French are not able to provide that blunt instrument, is the US willing to do so?" Nine years after the Flintlock exercises began, the enemy has evolved from a group of Algerian-dominated fighters focused on northern Mali and now threatens nations across the Sahara and the arid Sahel belt to the south.
For most of 2012, militants occupied northern Mali, a desert zone the size of France. Scattered by a French offensive last year, many are believed to be regrouping in southern Libya.
Hundreds of people are being killed every month in clashes with Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria. Many in Niger fear this conflict could spill over the border and the government in Niamey has appealed for more military support.
"Instability in neighbouring states has given everybody a new incentive," General James Linder, commander of US Special Operations Command Africa, told Reuters while visiting Niger This year's three-week Flintlock exercise - involving over 1,000 troops from 18 nations - was the biggest yet and runs alongside more permanent training by US Special Forces in Niger, Mauritania, Senegal and Chad.
Training in Diffa, only a few kilometres from where Boko Haram militants are fighting the Nigerian army across the border, ranged from basic patrolling skills and setting up checkpoints to sharing intelligence and providing medical care.
In a region where armies often lack basics such as ammunition for target practice and fuel for vehicles, the quality and tempo of the US-sponsored exercise eclipses the training most soldiers in the region receive in a year.
Colonel Mounkaila Sofiani, the local Niger commander, said Flintlock and other US initiatives helped his country to tackle threats from the west, north and south better. "Little by little people are being trained," he said. "Once there are enough, they'll form the spine of a reliable force." Training is meant to build up coordination between armies but Sofiani said just finding radio equipment compatible between nations is difficult. In the field, officers exchange mobile phone numbers to bypass blockages in official channels.
A lack of trust between governments also hinders responses. At a recent meeting of intelligence chiefs, the Nigerien and Libyan representatives argued over the risk of instability spreading from Libya's lawless south, a diplomat told Reuters.
Coups in Mauritania, Niger and Mali since the Flintlock exercises began also halted cooperation until civilian rule was restored. Mali's 2012 coup, led by a captain with US training, opened the door to the Islamist takeover of the north, prompting questions about what the years of exercises had achieved.
Pham said better military capabilities had not been matched by improvements in governance, citing a failure by Mali to tackle corruption. REUTERS Chad's military, however, has won praise for leading the charge alongside French troops in flushing out the militants from Mali's desolate northern mountains. U.S. officials stress the exercise is African-led and are wary about people reading too much into U.S. troops being on the ground near African conflicts. But the show of foreign support is popular in Diffa. "It sends a message to Boko Haram and others," said Inoussa Saouna, the central government's representative in Diffa. "Before Mali, we thought terrorism was a problem for whites but now we've experienced it ourselves."
***
11 March
***
(...)
***
6 March
***
Eric Schmitt, 'U.S. takes trainingrole in Africa as threats grow; With budgets tight, focus is onadvising troops and enlisting region's allies,' International New York Times, March 6, 2014.
***
4 March
***
11 March
***
(...)
"The problems
of the Sahel are not restricted to Africa, but concern the whole
world," France's defence and national security chief Francis Delon said.
Mauritanian analyst Abu Bakr noted, however, that it was difficult for
Sahel countries "to cope with security risks individually".
One solution is through enhanced security partnerships, he suggested.
"Because they are sponsored by the armies of the biggest countries in the world," joint military exercises such as Flintlock "enhance the capabilities of Sahel defence forces and support them against any potential terrorist threat", he added.
North Africa; Maghreb Jihadists Killed in Mali Airstrike, Magharebia (Washington DC), March 11, 2014
AFRICOM
GO HOME, Bases étrangères hors d’Afrique est un film document dans le
cadre du cinquantenaire des «indépendances» africaines, (OUA 1963
-2013). - See more at:
http://www.afrokanlife.com/politique/africom-go-home-un-documentaire-du-professeur-aziz-fall/#sthash.GNusKD90.dpuf
AFRICOM
GO HOME, Bases étrangères hors d’Afrique est un film document dans le
cadre du cinquantenaire des «indépendances» africaines, (OUA 1963
-2013). - See more at:
http://www.afrokanlife.com/politique/africom-go-home-un-documentaire-du-professeur-aziz-fall/#sthash.GNusKD90.dpuf
AFRICOM
GO HOME, Bases étrangères hors d’Afrique est un film document dans le
cadre du cinquantenaire des «indépendances» africaines, (OUA 1963
-2013). - See more at:
http://www.afrokanlife.com/politique/africom-go-home-un-documentaire-du-professeur-aziz-fall/#sthash.aaJLS3qK.dpuf
***
6 March
***
(…) The American strategy in Africa
also hinges on European partners. In January, France began to
reorganize its 3,000 troops in the Sahel region - a vast area on the
southern flank of the Sahara that stretches from Senegal to Chad - to
carry out counterterrorism operations more effectively, officials
said. France will concentrate its air power in Chad, its new
reconnaissance drones in Niger, its special operations troops in
Burkina Faso and its logistics hub in Ivory Coast.
Against this backdrop, the United States Africa Command is running an
annual exercise conducted since 2005 called Flintlock. This year,
about 600 African troops and 500 Western trainers and support
personnel, including about 300 Americans, participated here and in
two cities in central Niger, Agadez and Tahoua.
In temperatures often soaring above 100
degrees, African troops in groups of up to 40 teamed up with advisers
from the United States or European allies like Italy, France, Britain
and Norway. They practiced marksmanship, patrolling harsh desert
terrain and conducting checkpoints against suspicious vehicles.
The daily training has also revealed
barriers that extremists could exploit.
Simple communications are often
challenging. A Norwegian trainer's explanation of patrolling tactics
in English had to be translated into French and then again by another
interpreter into Hausa, a language spoken by many of Niger's troops.
Any questions started the time-consuming linguistic chain in reverse.
In his office near the exercise, Col.
Mounkaila Sofiani, the regional commander of Niger's forces here, who
has trained in Morocco and Senegal, and at Fort Benning, Ga.,
acknowledged the threat from Boko Haram, but insisted his military
did not need a permanent American troop presence.
''If our troops are well trained,'' he
said, ''we can handle these situations ourselves.''
Eric Schmitt, 'U.S. takes trainingrole in Africa as threats grow; With budgets tight, focus is onadvising troops and enlisting region's allies,' International New York Times, March 6, 2014.
***
4 March
***
***
3 March
***
By Maj. Will Cambardella
Joint Special Operations Task Force-Trans Sahara Command Public Affairs
AGADEZ, Niger - Canadian Special Operations Regiment shows Sergeant
Sawani Anza Adamou, 22nd Battalion, how an inclinometer is used to
determine wind speeds during air resupply drop operation in Niger as
part of Exercise FLINTLOCK 2014.
African-led Exercise Flintlock Kicks off in Niger
AGADEZ, Niger , Mar 3, 2014 — The Niger Army’s 22nd Battalion trained with American, Canadian and
Spanish troops supporting Flintlock 2014 on necessary learning objectives for a successful airborne supply delivery here, Feb. 21.
The
Niger Armed Forces, otherwise known as the Forces Armées Nigeriennes,
or FAN, are receiving instruction via “train-the-trainer” techniques to
be able to teach other troops following the three-week exercise. The
intent of this training is to enable the Nigerien Forces to resupply
themselves, said one Canadian Joint Terminal Attack Controller. “Force
projecting allows them to forward-stage in order to interdict AQIM
[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb] movement.”
Morning training
commenced with an overview block of instruction in French on Landing
Zone and Drop Zone (DZ) markings, as well as terrain feature
recognition. Next, the follow-on instructor disseminated inclinometers
to the troops, encouraging the students to demonstrate they understood
the equipment well enough to instruct it to others, specifically in
orientation and cardinal direction.
The 22nd Battalion’s Sgt. Chef
Boubacan Tinga provided DZ formulas during the class, “The drop zone
needs to be at least 500 meters in length,” explained Sgt. Chef Tinga.
Tinga further illustrated the difference in multiplication tables for
paratroopers versus bundles.
The Spanish instructors provided a
block of instruction on infiltration/exfiltration techniques to include
safety, security, staging and appropriate communication during day and
night operations. Special Air Force Operator, 1st Lt. Alfonso provided instruction on using a signal mirror
during the day to reflect light and placement of vehicles at night to
harness light from headlights. He also emphasized the importance of
determining wind speed, strain and direction.
“Always tell the
pilot where the wind is coming from,” said Alfonso. “The more powerful,
the more the pilot needs the wind direction—every helo lands facing the
wind.”
The troops then proceeded to set up the DZ at the point of
impact with red marking panels. Then a C-130 crew air dropped a bundle
on flat hard terrain—as instructed.
“This is good training for
these guys,” said the Air Liaison Officer, Lt. Col Chris . “They now have a new capability in their toolkit
that will help them help themselves in the future.”
The Flintlock
exercise is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed, U.S.
Africa Command (AFRICOM) sponsored, Joint Special Operations Task
Force-Trans Sahara conducted Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercise,
beginning Feb. 19 and going through March 9, throughout several
locations in Niger.
***
1 March
***
Militaires marocains et algériens côte
à côte au Niger
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir cette image]
Fort de ses succès diplomatiques au Mali, le Maroc passe au niveau supérieur. Le royaume cherche à jouer un rôle dans la sécurisation de la région du Sahel. La participation aux manœuvres militaires de « Flintlock 2014 », qui se déroulent au Niger, sous commandement américain, constitue d'ailleurs, un premier pas. Les Algériens y sont également présents.
Le Maroc tient à renforcer sa présence au Sahel. Du 26 février jusqu’au 9 mars, des membres des Forces armées royales (FAR) participent à la 9ème édition des « Flintlock ». Ce sont des exercices militaires, organisées au Niger par l’Africom, qui connaissent la participation d’environ un millier de soldats en provenance de vingt pays africains, européens et américains (Canada et Etats-Unis).
De la diplomatie à l’action militaire
Le royaume prend part à ces manœuvres en sa qualité de membre à part entière alors que durant les opérations qui se sont déroulés en 2013 dans le territoire mauritanien, il avait le titre de pays observateur. Une « promotion » qui atteste, si besoin est, du succès de la nouvelle politique du Maroc dans le Sahel.
Une région est devenue hautement stratégique pour Rabat. La crise malienne a offert aux officiels marocains une réelle opportunité de revenir en Afrique. Depuis, ils n’ont cessé de gagner du terrain. Le « Flintlock 2014 » leur permet donc de passer de la diplomatie et la logistique à l’action militaire.
Marocains et Algériens côte à côte au Niger
L’objectif principal de ces opérations demeure l’amélioration des capacités des militaires dans leur lutte contre les groupes terroristes et le crime organisé, bien établis dans toute la région sahélienne.
Le « Flintlock » de cette année a permis aux militaires marocains de côtoyer leurs homologues algériens sur le même terrain de guerre mais sous commandement américain. Sachant que les deux pays sont en concurrence déclarée pour asseoir leurs influences au Sahel.
Ce n’est d’ailleurs pas la première fois que des militaires des deux Etats voisins participent à des exercices sous commandement américaine ou de l’Alliance atlantique (OTAN). A titre d’exemple, le Maroc et l’Algérie répondent toujours présents aux manœuvres navales « Phoenix express », organisées depuis huit ans par la marine US, dans les eaux de la Méditerranée.
yabiladi
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir cette image]
Fort de ses succès diplomatiques au Mali, le Maroc passe au niveau supérieur. Le royaume cherche à jouer un rôle dans la sécurisation de la région du Sahel. La participation aux manœuvres militaires de « Flintlock 2014 », qui se déroulent au Niger, sous commandement américain, constitue d'ailleurs, un premier pas. Les Algériens y sont également présents.
Le Maroc tient à renforcer sa présence au Sahel. Du 26 février jusqu’au 9 mars, des membres des Forces armées royales (FAR) participent à la 9ème édition des « Flintlock ». Ce sont des exercices militaires, organisées au Niger par l’Africom, qui connaissent la participation d’environ un millier de soldats en provenance de vingt pays africains, européens et américains (Canada et Etats-Unis).
De la diplomatie à l’action militaire
Le royaume prend part à ces manœuvres en sa qualité de membre à part entière alors que durant les opérations qui se sont déroulés en 2013 dans le territoire mauritanien, il avait le titre de pays observateur. Une « promotion » qui atteste, si besoin est, du succès de la nouvelle politique du Maroc dans le Sahel.
Une région est devenue hautement stratégique pour Rabat. La crise malienne a offert aux officiels marocains une réelle opportunité de revenir en Afrique. Depuis, ils n’ont cessé de gagner du terrain. Le « Flintlock 2014 » leur permet donc de passer de la diplomatie et la logistique à l’action militaire.
Marocains et Algériens côte à côte au Niger
L’objectif principal de ces opérations demeure l’amélioration des capacités des militaires dans leur lutte contre les groupes terroristes et le crime organisé, bien établis dans toute la région sahélienne.
Le « Flintlock » de cette année a permis aux militaires marocains de côtoyer leurs homologues algériens sur le même terrain de guerre mais sous commandement américain. Sachant que les deux pays sont en concurrence déclarée pour asseoir leurs influences au Sahel.
Ce n’est d’ailleurs pas la première fois que des militaires des deux Etats voisins participent à des exercices sous commandement américaine ou de l’Alliance atlantique (OTAN). A titre d’exemple, le Maroc et l’Algérie répondent toujours présents aux manœuvres navales « Phoenix express », organisées depuis huit ans par la marine US, dans les eaux de la Méditerranée.
yabiladi
Exercices "Flintlock 2014"
Sam
1 Mar 2014 – 15:34,
http://far-maroc.forumpro.fr/t3819-exercices-flintlock-2014
Sam
1 Mar 2014 – 15:34,
http://far-maroc.forumpro.fr/t3819-exercices-flintlock-2014***
28 Feb
***
Militairen oefenen in Afrikaans klimaat
Zo’n 45 man Special Forces van het
Korps Commandotroepen en het Korps Mariniers zijn in Afrika voor de
Amerikaanse oefening Flintlock 2014. De militairen trainen samen met
eenheden uit Senegal en Burkina Faso en met Amerikaanse en Europese
collega’s. Kennis verkrijgen van en ervaring opdoen met opereren in
het Afrikaanse klimaat en terrein staan centraal.
Aan de oefening doen bijna duizend
militairen uit veertien landen mee. Met de Afrikaanse partners
oefenen de Nederlanders allerlei militaire vaardigheden, zoals
patrouilleren, verkennen, navigeren en het inrichten van
controleposten. Nederland doet voor de zevende keer mee aan
Flintlock. De oefening duurt tot 9 maart.
http://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2014/04/kort***
24 Feb.
***
During the ceremony the Joint
Special Operations Task Force – Trans Sahel Commander Col. Kenneth
Sipperly, who is the Flintlock 2014 exercise coordinator, said,
“Although Flintlock is considered an exercise, it is really an
extension of ongoing training, engagement, and operations that help
prepare our close Africa partners in the fight against extremism and
the enemies that threaten peace, stability, and regional security.”
NIAMEY, Niger, Feb 24, 2014 —
Flintlock, the annual African-led military exercise for
interoperability in security, counterterrorism and humanitarian aid,
officially kicked off today with an opening ceremony celebrating the
spirit of cooperation.
The exercise, which beyond U.S.
participation includes Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, France, Germany,
Mauritania, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Senegal, United Kingdom, and
the host nation of Niger, focuses on building partner capacity to
help strengthen stability across Africa. This year, there are 18
different African and Western country participants.
For the next three weeks, more than a
1,000 different soldiers from across these countries will practice
military drills such as airdrops of personnel or equipment, live fire
ranges, and delivering aid to remote areas with limited medical care.
While not focused on any particular
operation or security situation, Flintlock 2014 focuses on the
development of the mutual security capacity while strengthening bonds
among exercise participants, according to officials.
“Your presence reflects your
interests in our regional partnerships,” said Nigerian Col.
Mahamane Laminou Sani, the Flintlock country coordinator. “By
sharing their experiences, expertise, and camaraderie we share our
interests in promoting stability in the region.”
Some of the major tactical components
of Flintlock 2014 include small-unit combined training activities
against counter-terrorism, along with humanitarian relief operations
providing basic medical, dental, and veterinary access for select
communities in Niger.
The host nation led the development of
the exercises’ training objectives to help build relationships
between participating nations.
U.S. leadership attended the ceremony
along with their counterparts and they said they agree that security
is necessary for growth and stability. Special Operations Command
Africa Commanding General Brig. Gen. James Linder joined African
nation partners for opening ceremony activities.
During the ceremony the Joint Special
Operations Task Force – Trans Sahel Commander Col. Kenneth
Sipperly, who is the Flintlock 2014 exercise coordinator, said,
“Although Flintlock is considered an exercise, it is really an
extension of ongoing training, engagement, and operations that help
prepare our close Africa partners in the fight against extremism and
the enemies that threaten peace, stability, and regional security.”
“Working together to guard against
the effects of extremism will be realized by the future generations
of all our countries,” he said.
The Nigerian Chief of Staff M. Karidio
Mahamadou agreed, adding that, “This exercise is occurring at a
time when our nations are faced with multiple obstacles within our
region which requires strong resolve to confront extremism.”
Flintlock exercises have been conducted
across north and western Africa since 2005 to improve the security
capacity of regional military forces.
Follow and share your comments on Facebook and Twitter at #Flintlock2014
Scott Nielsen, African-led Exercise
Flintlock Kicks off in Niger, U.S. AFRICOM Public Affairs February
24, 2014.
23 Feb.
***
Up to 1,000 soldiers and army officials
from 18 African countries began a joint military training exercise in
Niger against terrorism in the Sahel region.
The joint military exercise dubbed "Flintlock" is being
conducted in Niger's Agadez, Diffa and Tahoua regions between Feb. 20
and March 9.
The "Flintlock" exercise was initiated in 2005 with the
objective of developing capacities of defense and security forces and
promoting inter-state collaborations to protect the people of Sahel
countries.
At the opening of the training session, Nigerien army chief Seini
Garba hailed the holding of the Flintlock training to promote
security in the Sahel region, a belt along the southern edge of the
Sahara desert being made a haven for terrorism and cross-border
crimes.
Gen. Garba said Nigerien President
Mahamadou Issoufou had reaffirmed his support for the program to
promote strategic partnerships and information sharing among the
different armies.
The "Flintlock 2014" training program is being coordinated
by the U.S. military and Nigerien Col. Lamine Mahamane.
The military training began just after
the third council meeting of foreign ministers held in Niamey to
discuss cooperation in war against terrorism and an African Peace and
Security Architecture in the Sahel-Saharan region.
18 Nations In Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Beijing), February 23, 2014
18 Nations In Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Beijing), February 23, 2014
***
20 Feb.
***
The war game reflects the Pentagon’s increasing preference for light, secretive Special Operations Forces in the ongoing international campaign against terrorists and other “irregular” threats.
Joe Trevithick, America Is in Niger to
Help Train Commandos From 18 Countries
Flintlock exercise is evidence of
growing Special Ops war in Africa, War is Boring, February 20, 2014.
--
Foreign ministers from the Sahel and West Africa met in Niamey on Wednesday (February 19th) to hammer out a response to terrorism and organised crime across the region.
The gathering included top
diplomats from Algeria, Mauritania, Libya and others in the Fusion and
Liaison Unit (UFL), who met with their counterparts from Senegal, Guinea
and Cote d'Ivoire.
The ministers discussed the
political and security situation in the Sahel-Sahara region, closer
security co-operation and the implementation of the African Peace and
Security architecture. They were joined by intelligence and security
chiefs from their respective countries and representatives of the
African Union and ECOWAS.
"The recent events in Gao in Mali
involving the kidnapping of an ICRC team, for which MUJAO has claimed
responsibility, clearly show how fragile the security situation in our
region is and illustrate the urgent need for closer co-operation between
the relevant actors," Nigerien Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum said in
his opening speech.
Bazoum added: "Niger is
suffering the collateral fallout of the Libyan and Malian crises, and at
a very early stage it began seeking ways of safeguarding its
extra-community borders through a partnership guaranteeing human rights
and the free movement of people."
In his view, "the
political and security situation in Libya is still characterised by
rather worrying tensions. We must think about it so that we can help to
start a new trend."
During a speech about the
counter-terrorism strategy devised by his institution, ECOWAS Commission
Chairman Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo underlined that: "This strategy is
based on three main pillars, namely prevention, suppression and
rebuilding."
"There is no doubt that if they are
well co-ordinated, the strategies initiated by various organisations
should make a significant contribution to socio-economic development and
stability in the Sahel region, in accordance with the principles of
democracy, good governance and the rule of law, so as to prevent new
crises in the future," he said.
For his part, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra highlighted the close co-ordination between his country and Niger.
"We
also know the determination of Niger, which is shared with Algeria,
with regard to everything that concerns the battle against terrorism and
organised cross-border crime," Lamamra told the press on the side-lines
of this third ministerial meeting of the member states of the African
Union's "Nouakchott Process" to build Sahel stability.
He
also said that the contributions made by Algeria and Mauritania
"consisted of making their own borders secure and ensuring that
terrorist and criminal groups have nowhere to retreat to within the two
countries".
"In the face of the threat on our
borders, the Nouakchott Process must maintain a more sustained pace and
innovate continually to adapt to the changes on the ground," said Smail
Chergui, the African Union's commissioner for peace and security.
Chergui
added: "Building intelligence and security capabilities in the
Sahel-Sahara region is more than necessary to deal with the terrorist
threat. This means that the strategies identified must be strengthened
to tackle this scourge."
Niger Hosts Sahel Security Summit, Magharebia (Washington DC), February 20, 2014
***
19 Feb.
***
Zo’n 45
militairen van het Korps Commandotroepen en de special forces (NLMARSOF)
van het Korps Mariniers zijn in Afrika voor de Amerikaanse oefening
Flintlock 2014. De militairen trainen samen met Afrikaanse eenheden uit
Senegal en Burkina Faso en met Amerikaanse en Europese collega’s. Het
opdoen van kennis van en ervaring met het optreden in het Afrikaanse
klimaat en terrein staan centraal.
Aan de oefening doen bijna 1000 militairen uit zo’n 14 verschillende
landen mee. Met de Afrikaanse partners wordt geoefend in militaire
vaardigheden zoals patrouilleren, verkennen, navigeren en het inrichten
van controleposten. Nederland doet voor de zevende keer mee aan
Flintlock.De luchtmacht zet een Hercules C-130 transportvliegtuig in voor de logistieke ondersteuning van de oefening. De oefening Flintlock duurt tot 9 maart.
Militairen oefenen in Afrikaans
klimaat, Nieuwsbericht, 19 februari 2014
***
6 Feb.
***
Mi-février, un nouveau détachement de forces spéciales américaines et françaises est attendu au Niger. Officiellement pour participer à l'exercice Flint Lock 2014. Exercice régional qui s'est déjà déroulé par le passé au Mali et en Mauritanie.
Le Niger réclame une interventioninternationale en Libye, Publié le 6 février 2014
***
22 Jan.
***
No new information
20 Jan.
***
L’édition de cette année [de Flintlock] intervient dans un contexte marqué par l’escalade de la violence en Libye, où des groupes extrémistes liés à Al-Qaïda, tels que ceux d’Ansar al-Sharia, se sont implantés dans plusieurs villes de l’est. La zone est d’ailleurs régulièrement survolée par des drones dont la mission se charge de la collecte d’informations.
Sahel : Démarrage en février des exercices « Flintlock, 20 janvier 2014 par Samuel Benshimon, Sahel Intelligence.
***
17 Jan.
***
Military service members from African, European and North American countries will gather in Niger next month for the "Flintlock" exercise.
The two-week drill, which focuses on Africa's fight against terrorism and trafficking, includes air and land operations.
Held every year n nations across the Sahel region, the exercises are planned by US Special Operations to develop the capacity and collaboration among African security forces to protect civilian populations.
Jemal Oumar in Nouakchott, Sahel military forces train together, Magharebia – 17/01/2014
***
3 Jan.
***
Previous Flintlock blogs on Broekstukken:
military-exercises-and-arms (21 mar 2014)
Flintlock in the press 2013
The Dutch and the War on Terror … in Africa (11 Feb 2011)
Nederlanders in War on Terror….in Afrika (03 Feb 2011)
Previous Mali blogs on Broekstukken:
Chaos in Mali; collateral damage van de oorlog in Libië (16 Dec 2012)
Wapenleveranties aan Libië en de buurlanden (07 Sep 2012)
***
3 Jan.
***
Similarly aspects of Operation Enduring
Freedom Trans-Sahara (OEFTS) such as the Flintlock system have worked
to shore up essential communication and infrastructure within 25
countries. Given that AFRICOM was first proposed as an idea in 2000,
this is a remarkable degree of growth and cooperation that reflects
the growing level of importance with which Africa now factors into US
policymakers’ decisions.
Sean Durns, Growing US securitypresence in Africa allows safer investments,
http://globalriskinsights.com/, January 3, 2014
Previous Flintlock blogs on Broekstukken:
military-exercises-and-arms (21 mar 2014)
Flintlock in the press 2013
Mijn losse-Mali-wapens-flodders en signaleringen ... (14 Jan 2013)
Flintlock Kamervragen (26 Apr 2011)Nederlanders in War on Terror….in Afrika (03 Feb 2011)
Previous Mali blogs on Broekstukken:
Mali, de luwte in de storm (10 Jan 2014)
Mali in de pers (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr 2014)
Voor of tegen (1): Mali (10 Nov 2013)
Terror in Nigeria with arms from Libya (24 Sep 2013)
Terreur in Nigeria met wapens uit Libië (19 Sep 2013)