Mali: Britain 'risks being drawn into Afghan-style conflict'

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-conflict.html

Mali: Britain 'risks being drawn into Afghan-style conflict'

Britain risks being dragged into a drawn out Afghan-style conflict in Mali, MPs warned after David Cameron announced that up to 330 troops would be sent to north Africa in the fight against al-Qaeda.

French soldiers in Niono

In a significant escalation of Britain’s military commitment to the region, Downing Street said that up to 330 troops would go to Mali and neighbouring countries.

Up to 40 will be based in Mali, training government troops as they support the French-led intervention against the country’s al-Qaeda-linked rebels. Another 200 will be sent to train soldiers in other African countries so they can join the assault.

Britain will also share intelligence and offer a roll-on roll-off ferry to carry French equipment to Mali. A joint logistics headquarters could also be established with France.

Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, conceded that there was a danger of “mission creep” in Mali but insisted that Britain had “an absolute duty” to intervene against terrorists.

Senior military figures and MPs from both sides of the Commons raised concerns of a lengthy conflict in north Africa resembling the wars in Afghanistan or Vietnam. In an urgent debate, Mr Hammond insisted that Britain’s role in the conflict was in the national interest, and promised an “efficient” result.

“The UK has a clear interest in the stability of Mali and ensuring its territory does not become an ungoverned space available for al-Qaeda and its associates to organise attacks on the West,” he said. “We have an absolute duty to intervene wherever there is a threat to Britain’s national security and the security of Britain’s interests around the world and this is exactly such a case.”

British troops will be authorised to open fire only in “self defence” , he said. No troops would provide “force protection” for the proposed European Union training mission in Mali and there was no “intention” to deploy front-line troops, he said. “We are very clear about the risks of mission creep. We have defined very carefully the support that we are willing to provide to the French and the Malian authorities.”

John Baron, a Conservative MP, warned Mr Hammond that Britain could be “drawn into ever deepening conflicts”. Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, said the public was “wary and weary of conflict” and Frank Dobson, the former Labour cabinet minister, suggested that Mali could become Britain’s “Vietnam”, a war which he said began with American troops “in a training capacity”.

As French troops swept into Timbuktu, the former head of the Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, warned that nations involved in the country faced a “protracted guerrilla warfare”.

The troops being sent directly to Mali will join an EU-led training mission. The other 200 British troops being sent to the region will be deployed to English speaking countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana, which are contributing soldiers to support the Malian government.

General Cameron, not a meddle on his chest, starts another war.

But you know, i'm going to shamelessly gloat here. I remember when we got involved in Libya and did airstrikes and supplied weapons, I warned on this forum that we shouldn't get involved as whenever we get involved in these conflicts it always leads to blowback. A number of people begged to differ, stating that it was only right that we involved ourselves and that whats the worst that could happen?

Well here's what happened. Those weapons that the rebels used in Libya, made their way into Mali which then were used against the Malian central government by Malian rebels - a direct result of our intervention. But there's actually more, because when France became involved this time the Malian rebels responded by launching an attack in southern Algeria and stirring up tensions there.

So there you have it, thanks to those who cheerleadered the "oh but it wont do any harm" two other countries have now been destabilised - and more British lives have been put at risk, and more money is being thrown down the drain on a fruitless adventure.

I told you so.

Thoughts?