Observatory on European defence, January 2013

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: JANUARY 11 - 17
FRANCE INTERVENES IN MALI AND THE EU APPROVES A TRAINING MISSION
Malian President Traoré has communicated that France has accepted the request to carry out a military operation against Islamic rebels in accordance with ECOWAS. Consequently, on the basis of UNSC Resolution 2085 of December 2012, the French Operation Serval has began in Mali with the objective of restoring the Malian authorities’ control over the northern Saharan territories, which have been occupied by Islamic militias for more than one year. On January, 22^nd French air forces hit the Al-Qaeda headquarter in Islamic Maghreb while on January, 26^th the Franco-Malian coalition liberated the city of Gao. A few days later French troops entered Timbuktu. At the end of January, about 2.400 French military troops were deployed in the theatre, together with 2.900 African soldiers coming from Burkina-Faso, Nigeria, Togo, Senegal. French airpower included Mirage, Rafale, Gazelle helicopters, two Harfang drones and C-130, C-160 and C-135 military transport aircraft. Moreover, several EU countries − including Italy, Germany and United Kingdom − and the US are currently contributing to the French intervention, providing air and logistic support as well as information and intelligence sharing.
In parallel with French intervention in Mali, the EU Council has decided to establish a European Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali). EUTM Mali will provide military training as well as train and advise the Malian Armed Forces on command and control, logistics, human resources as well as on international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and human rights. The Council has also appointed Brigadier General François Lecointre as EU mission commander. The common costs of the operation are estimated at EUR 12.3 million for the mandate of 15 months. The headquarters will be in Bamako while training is taking place in a dedicated location north-east of Bamako.

JANUARY 22
EU EXTENDS AND REDEFINES THE EUTM MISSION
The Council has decided to extend for further two years the mandate of mission EUTM Somalia. The mission’s objective is to strengthen the Somali National Government by providing military training to the Somali security forces. Moreover, the mission’s main tasks have been redefined and now include political-strategic advice as well as specialized military training. Brigadier General Gerald Aherne from Ireland has taken over the command of the mission, whose financial resources are about EUR 11.6 million until March 2015.

JANUARY 30
FIRST NATO PATRIOT BATTERY IN TURKEY OPERATIONAL
The first four batteries of Patriot missiles deployed in Turkey are now operational under NATO’s command and control structure. The batteries, provided by Netherlands and Germany, have been installed in the southern cities Adana and Kahramanmaras. The last two batteries are to be provided by US, and will be placed in Gaziantep, about 50 Kilometers north of the Turkish-Syrian border.

JANUARY 31
EU APPROVES THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT CONCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MISSION IN LIBYA
The EU Council has approved the crisis management concept for a possible new civilian Common Security and Defence Policy mission to support capacity building for border management in Libya. This EU mission will progressively address the different land, sea and air aspects of border management, as well as the necessary coordination required by an integrated approach for decision making and effective operational conduct. Management of migration flows, human rights and links to the wide rule of law reform would also be part of the programme. The initial mission mandate would last years and start its activities in Tripoli, but its mandate could be extended to other locations, depending on the security situation and the needs of the Libyans.