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Africa Horn
Second French commando dies of wounds -Somali rebels
2013-01-14
A second French commando has died from wounds suffered during a failed attempt to rescue a French agent in Somalia held hostage by al Shabaab since 2009, the al Qaeda-affiliated militant group said on Monday.

Al Shabaab said the French commando had died in their custody and posted photos of what it said was his body on the Internet, according to the SITE monitoring service.

The insurgent group also said it had made a decision on the fate of hostage Denis Allex and that a message conveying its verdict would be forthcoming. France says it believes Allex was killed during the rescue operation.

The militants put up fierce resistance when French special forces went into southern Somalia by helicopter under the cover of darkness on Saturday to try to free Allex.
Posted by:tipper

#9  DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > AL-SHABAAB DEMAND RELEASE OF JIHADIS IN EXCHANGE FOR FRENCH HOSTAGE, RESIDENTS DECRY ILL-PLANNED OPERATION.

Apparently locals weren't too impressed wid the French rescue operation, i.e. 40+ elite Frenchies agz 100+ Al-Shabaab Hard Boyz [17 Militants KIA], labeling the ResOp "impossible" + "amateurish", + unhappiness over death of eight Civie locals caught in cross-fire???

versus

* DAILY TIMES.PK > "NO EU TROOPS IN MALI", outside of France [ + British aircraft]. Both EU + NATO say that France has made no formal request for EU or NATO-level assistance.

versus

* WORLD NEWS > [Stars-N-Stripes] US MILITARY COULD BE DRAWN INTO MALI FIGHT.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2013-01-14 23:13  

#8  Latest intel sez they did, either through civilians informing on them or raiding the wrong house.

My take is the French trusted the Somali government to assist in providing intel on the raid, like the government trusted the Libyan militia for its consulate's security.
Posted by: Pappy   2013-01-14 21:39  

#7  Yes. Almost looks like Al Shabaab knew they were coming, doesn't it?
Posted by: Raider   2013-01-14 19:57  

#6  The Frenchies repor gravely underestimated the level of Militant resistance encountered.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2013-01-14 18:32  

#5  "there are parts of the world that do not listen to civil, reasoned discourse. That's when you send in the special forces an Arclight or three...."

FTFY, Dr. White.
Posted by: Barbara   2013-01-14 15:38  

#4  I don't recall the French being as panic stricken over Rules of Engagement (ROE) as some. In that neighborhood, probably a good thing. Hat tip and best wishes to them.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-14 15:26  

#3  Again, props to the French for trying. Learn from whatever mistakes were made and do it better next time.

Unfortunately there are parts of the world that do not listen to civil, reasoned discourse. That's when you send in the special forces...
Posted by: Steve White   2013-01-14 15:21  

#2  Soft power...
Posted by: M. Murcek   2013-01-14 12:54  

#1  Wonder if Europe appreciates "Smart Diplomacy" yet?
Posted by: AlanC   2013-01-14 12:50  

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