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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 |
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20 Jan.
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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, Sanel Intelligence.
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17 Jan.
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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
Previous Flintlock blogs on Broekstukken:
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)
Previous Flintlock blogs on Broekstukken:
Flintlock 2013 (14 Nov 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. 2014) (04 Jan 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)