Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAMAKO463
2008-05-21 16:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bamako
Cable title:  

TUAREG REBELS OVERRUN GARRISON IN ABEIBARA

Tags:  ASEC PINS PINR ML 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9943
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHBP #0463 1421602
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 211602Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAMAKO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9150
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0433
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000463 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: ASEC PINS PINR ML
SUBJECT: TUAREG REBELS OVERRUN GARRISON IN ABEIBARA

Classified By: Political Officer Aaron Sampson, Embassy Bamako, for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000463

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: ASEC PINS PINR ML
SUBJECT: TUAREG REBELS OVERRUN GARRISON IN ABEIBARA

Classified By: Political Officer Aaron Sampson, Embassy Bamako, for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1.(C) Tuareg rebels apparently belonging to the Alliance for
Democracy and Change (ADC) attacked and overran the Malian
army base in Abeibara on May 21. The attack began before
dawn and lasted for several hours. Following the attack,
someone using a known ADC email address posted a claim of
responsibility to a popular Kidal Tuareg website. The
statement said the ADC killed more than 30 Malian soldiers
and captured another 47. Several Malian officers appear to
have been either killed or taken prisoner. The ADC said that
it had suffered only one killed and three wounded. We have
not yet been able to confirm any of these numbers with the
Malian military as communications with the Abeibara garrison
have been cut.

2.(C) Although details are still scarce, this attack appears
to be much larger than any previous incidents. If
preliminary information proves correct, an attack of this
magnitude is likely to have a profound impact on peace
negotiations with the Malian government. Last week President
Amadou Toumani Toure delivered a series of speeches that
touched on northern security and were closely covered by the
Malian TV and print media. During each statement, President
Toure reiterated his commitment to a peaceful solution for
the Tuareg crisis but warned that he was prepared for war if
Tuareg rebels forced it upon him.

3.(C) Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane returned from Algiers
only days ago with the welcome announcement that Algeria had
agreed to resume its mediation efforts. The ADC attack in
Abeibara could signal an attempt to torpedo this agreement,
or it could represent a last ditch attempt by the ADC to
increase its bargaining power in advance of renewed
cease-fire talks. We will provide more information septel.
MCCULLEY