Secret AQIM meeting report reveals Sahel control strategy

AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel predicts military intervention in meeting A secret nine-page document found in the Malian city of Timbuktu outlines al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's [AQIM] plans to take control of the Sahel region. The document, discovered by Malian forces during military operations to expel militant groups from northern Mali, describes a meeting between 33 AQIM leaders, Tuareg rebels and Ansar Dine group members, chaired by AQIM chief Abdelmalek Droukdel on March 18 2012.
In the meeting, Droukdel announced his organisation's intention to take control of cities and areas previously held by Islamist militants in the region. He hailed Ansar Dine's popularity and said other groups much exhibit "transparency." He added: "We have to think of the necessity to draw a plan to command and control the jihad activities there at this critical moment, and target all efforts to achieve the required goals."
The Sahara and Sahel regions cover an area of over 5 million kilometres, across deserts of Mali, Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mauritania, the Western Desert and Chad.
News agency Associated Press (AP) said that the document shows how "al-Qaeda had predicted the military intervention that would dislodge it in January and recognised its weaknesses."
It also reflects "a sharp division within al-Qaeda's African branch over how quickly and strictly to apply Islamic law, with its senior commander expressing dismay over the whipping of women and the destruction of Timbuktu's ancient monuments."
AD added: "Droukdel, perhaps surprisingly argues that his fighters moved too fast and too brutally in applying the Islamic law, known as Shariah, to northern Mali. Comparing the relationship of al-Qaeda to Mali as that of an adult to an infant, he urges them to be more gentle, like a parent."
On Saturday, sources said French forces in Mali are under pressure after AQIM's capture of French hostages.
Before intervention, the militant group had released a video holding France responsible for the failure of negotiations to release the hostages held in Niger since September 2010. In the video, AQIM said it was willing to re-enter negotiations with France. A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry responded by demanding the release of the prisoners, and said his government would do everything in its power to ensure their safe return.