The Pentagon is to provide military support to French forces in their fight against rebel militants in Northern Mali
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) January 14, 2013
Mali-based Islamists pledge attacks on French soil: http://t.co/iZnaUsaQ via @FRANCE24
— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) January 14, 2013
Muslim rebels have taken over a northern Mali town. France is waging war on the Islamists. The U.N. Security Council meets today to discuss the turmoil.
#BreakingNews: U.N. Security Council to meet Monday on Mali
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) January 13, 2013
The Brits offered support this weekend.
UK will help to transport foreign troops & equipment to #Mali but no British combat troops will be deployed http://t.co/GDP5nMQp
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) January 12, 2013
Canada is pitching in.
Canada to Provide C-17A to Support French Ops in Mali http://t.co/MfhntY2T
— AirForces Daily (@AirForcesDaily) January 14, 2013
And late Sunday night, President Obama dropped this letter on Capitol Hill.
On January 11, 2013, French forces conducted an operation in Somalia in which they attempted to rescue a French citizen being held hostage by al-Shabaab. United States forces provided limited technical support to the French forces in that operation, but took no direct part in the assault on the compound where it was believed the French citizen was being held hostage. United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed. These aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation. The U.S. forces that supported this operation left Somalia by approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 11, 2013.
I directed U.S. forces to support this rescue operation in furtherance of U.S. national security interests, and pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.
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Obama did it to us with Libya. Keep an eye on Mali! US played 'limited' role in botched French rescue bid http://t.co/cLpcdWRO via @FRANCE24
— DeplorableMizAmerica⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@MizAmerica3) January 14, 2013
People on both sides of the pond are wondering: “What are we doing in Mali?”
Of all the backwater countries to get involved in, what are we doing in Mali? Where is it, even? I literally don't know where it is.
— The Rt Hon Jon Esq. (@RtHonJon) January 12, 2013
https://twitter.com/_QA1/status/290444411379273728
https://twitter.com/C_A_JONEStechno/status/290385893544570880
@Number10gov What on earth are we doing in Mali??
— David Coburn (@coburn4brexit) January 12, 2013
@CllrAWallis Still don't understand what we are doing in Mali. Africa is no longer a playground for European powers.
— Chris (@ChrisRidgers) January 13, 2013
For their part, the jihadists have vowed to fight a “long war” with the West.
Mali Islamists counter attack, promise France long war http://t.co/uRcFHPGP
— SoldiersAngels (@soldiersangels) January 14, 2013
New Holy War, same as the centuries-old old Holy War.
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