The Mali Army was confronted by weapons so advanced that it had never seen them. By an adversary so well supplied that Mali soldiers report supply lines hundreds of trucks long. That must also have a massive fuel supply.
Where did these jihadists get so many weapons, so many supplies, and a constant source of fuel? Just like in the Tripoli consulate, no informed source should publically say. Intelligence that says who is supplying that stuff means spies must be protected. Eventually we will learn. But for now, the only known fact is jihadists are being supplied with weapons and supplies that any regional army would envy. That is why the French had to do something. To address an immediate and serious short term problem.
|