the war in mali and the algerian policy washout
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

The war in Mali and the Algerian policy washout

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

the war in mali and the algerian policy washout

Khairallah Khairallah

Mali's crisis is set to head for more escalation and complication, especially as the war has gone beyond Mali's borders to reach every part of the Sahara and Sahel region. Currently we are witnessing only the early stage of the war in Mali. Nevertheless, the war has already turned into a regional omen, as Algeria has been forced to be engaged in it through the most unexpected way for the Algerian officials; Taking foreign and national hostages by terrorists in an Algerian gas field. It is remarkable that this is the first big hostage-taking incident ever to take place in an Algerian oil or gas-rich area, although the Algerian army has been busy throughout the nineties fighting terrorist groups. However, those terrorists have never targeted the country's oil and gas fields throughout this war. So what has changed in 2013, or in other words what is the lesson to be learnt from the incident that saw some terrorists taking Algerian and foreign hostages in a gas field located in In Amenas? Putting aside the Algerian authorities' rashness in launching a military operation aimed at releasing the hostages with no consideration to the painful outcome they have eventually received, the next question to come into everybody's mind is how the Algerian authorities have managed to play down the probability of seeing the terrorist activities expand across the Algerian borders as instantly as the French operation in Mali takes off? How could a country which has such a remarkable experience in suffering from terrorism not expect these terrorists to target the Algerian territories - particularly the oil and gas fields - especially considering the loose state of security in Libya and the entire region? It looks like the Algerian authorities have failed to expect the repercussions of the French military campaign in Mali. Although the Algerians have repeatedly called to rule out the military solution in settling the Malian crisis, yet when the French campaign came into effect, Algeria allowed the French air forces to fly through the Algerian airspace. Algeria probably played down the ability of the terrorists who are taking over North Mali to respond effectively to the French campaign, although the Algerians were aware that some of their diplomats were still in those terrorists' hostage since April 2012, when the Islamists took over North Mali's Gao and stormed the Algerian consulate in the city. The In Amenas incident showed first that there is an essential need for a comprehensive security strategy in the Sahara and Sahel region, which extends from Mauritania in the west to the South Sudanese Red Sea shores in the east. The developments in Mali cannot be seen as isolated from al-Qaeda's spread in the whole region. Thanks only to the washout that distinguishes its foreign policy, Algeria could see itself as a regional superpower which doesn't need to seek a regional collaboration in its war against terrorism. Thanks to this washout, Algeria had always insisted on its right to launch a fierce war against terrorism taking place within its territories, while the Algerians acted completely the opposite regarding terrorism taking place in the neighbouring countries. According to the Algerian theory, every terrorist deserves to be killed as long as he is found in Algeria, otherwise, his work should be praised, particularly if he is working on destroying the stability of any of Algeria's neighbours, precisely Morocco. 2013 is seeing radical changes in the regional circumstances; the old Libya is gone, and this country has turned into a free arena for the terrorist groups who are having a lot of fun there. The same may also apply for Tunisia, which suffers from a lack of control from the central authority plus a critical social situation which is set for further deterioration. Moreover, Mali which used to share a close relation with the Algerians has turned to be a direct threat against them. Whilst there is no indication that the central authority in Mauritania is going to restore its old power. This prospect has actually received a strong blow after the ambiguous incident in which President Mohammed Ould Abdelaziz was targeted. Since this incident, neither Abdelaziz nor his regime seem to be in a safe position. It is enough to remember how Algeria used to appoint high profile diplomats in Bamako, who had previously served as ambassadors in Tehran, Beirut, Riyadh and London, to know how important Mali was for the Algerians; particularly the Tuareg tribes who represent an integral part of the country's population. Regardless of whether the French campaign will succeed in uprooting terrorism in Mali, Algeria will still be in need to reconsider its foreign policy. This policy was based mainly on keeping Morocco away from any serious participation in the war against terrorism, in addition to exploiting the so-called "the Sahara cause" to blackmail the Moroccans. What happened in the Algerian gas field is a turning point and an indication that the entire region has changed. What was acceptable in the past is no more acceptable now. Are the Algerians ready to follow the change and to get over the delusions of the past? Simply they have to admit that the war against terrorism needs full cooperation between all the countries of the region, and it is beyond explanation that a country fights terrorism in its territories while it completely ignores it out of its borders. This Syrian regime-like policy belongs to an expired age. An age that everybody must know it would never be repeated under any circumstances.    The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.               

GMT 13:29 2018 Friday ,31 August

Iran and the Luminary from Saarland

GMT 13:14 2018 Friday ,31 August

Qaradawi: Politics is more important than Hajj!

GMT 17:03 2018 Thursday ,30 August

EU must help heal the sick man of Europe

GMT 15:49 2018 Thursday ,30 August

Women in Saudi municipalities

GMT 13:43 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

Amir Hatami in Syria: To stay or withdraw?

GMT 09:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Washington chooses Syria as its battleground

GMT 09:52 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Road ahead full of danger as new front opens in Syria

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

the war in mali and the algerian policy washout the war in mali and the algerian policy washout

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 21:46 2015 Thursday ,01 October

King Abdullah II back to Amman from New York

GMT 12:16 2017 Thursday ,30 November

Russia loses contact with satellite after launch

GMT 15:07 2011 Thursday ,15 September

Danish retailer launches solid gold phone

GMT 13:01 2014 Wednesday ,13 August

Former UN chief criticises HRW Rabaa report

GMT 05:12 2016 Monday ,19 December

More heritage shows at Al Dhafra Festival expected

GMT 18:23 2015 Saturday ,09 May

Sisi meets world leaders in Moscow

GMT 14:39 2012 Wednesday ,07 March

LG Optimus L3 to arrive in Europe this month

GMT 14:16 2012 Monday ,26 November

Ramada Ajman completes Dhs10m hotel

GMT 12:06 2012 Thursday ,08 March

Spied: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday