Over here. Nothing much to say, actually, except that it's kind of cool to be able to use the phrase TIMBUKTU IS LIBERATED.
Shout it from the rooftops. If anyone asks you why, say it's because Timbuktu is now no longer a dagger pointed at the heart of Ouagadougou.
Typical bloody French. Anglo-Americana has been rampaging around for the past decade with nothing much to show but a huge pile of skulls. I know the French are involved in Afghanistan, but it's not like they're very keen or anything. And then they swan in and liberate Timbuktu.
There's video.
Posted by: Alex | January 30, 2013 at 03:36 PM
But not before those Salafi bastards torched all the manuscripts. Not enough to slaughter a bunch of people...
Posted by: chris y | January 30, 2013 at 05:16 PM
The good news on the library: http://world.time.com/2013/01/28/mali-timbuktu-locals-saved-some-of-their-citys-ancient-manuscripts-from-islamists/
Posted by: Alex | January 30, 2013 at 05:26 PM
Now, on to Timbuk Three!
Posted by: dsquared | January 30, 2013 at 06:24 PM
What in the name of God makes you think the salafist's are going to better for the people of Northern Mali than the Islamic Movement of Azawad? Perhaps you prefer gulf state funded islamic fundamentalists - in Mali of course, not your home town?
Here's the initial background:
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2013/01/système-d-in-the-land-of-azawad-ttg.html
Here's a write up from October:
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2012/10/return-to-azawad-ttg.html
Posted by: Jack | January 31, 2013 at 12:51 AM
Typical French ...
Not so long ago, Chirac came down with a severe case of Blair envy over Sierra Leone. He ended up in Cote d'Ivoire, to nobody's obvious benefit.
Posted by: bert | January 31, 2013 at 02:55 AM