June 28th 2013
Gao Region, Northern Mali
Historical Background
Starting in early 2012, various Islamist and separatist insurgent groups started an uprising in northern Mali, swiftly capturing the region’s largest cities. The three largest Islamist groups (Ansar Dine, MOJWA and AQIM) are all allied or directly involved with Al-Qaeda, which also runs its operations in the broader Sahel region, including parts of Algeria, Libya, Niger and Mauritania.
By 2013, the militants had grown ever more aggressive and upon the Mali government’s rejection of Sharia law implementation into the constitution, they began invading the southern portion of the country as well.
Unable to contain the Islamist assault, the Malian government calls the international community for help and a coalition of neighbouring countries and most importantly France answers the call. What follows is a rapid deployment of various French quick response units pulled from France and peacekeeping missions in Africa. Intense aerial bombardments halt the insurgents’ advance and ground forces start mounting offensive actions to retake lost territories. Opération Serval begins.
The Chase
As our and allied forces advance to retake lost territories, a unique opportunity arises. We have gotten information from an inside source that one of the most prominent figureheads of AQIM, Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, is currently on a recruitment campaign in the Gao region. It is hard to tell if he is “recruiting” fighters to their cause (as shown on the photo below from about a year ago) or conscripting the local populace to fight for their cause at gunpoint. Both practices are nothing new when it comes to organizations like this.
As you may have noticed on the previous photo - Zeid is, in fact, not Malian and our intelligence on him suggests he is originally from Algeria. He also wears a white turban and has a long beard. Thus, identifying him should not be a problem. Regarding the whole mission’s goal, getting rid of him via any means is the main priority, so you can either kill or capture him. But as convinced of radical Islamist teachings as he is, it is highly unlikely he’d want to miss out on a “martyrdom death” while choosing between that and being captured.
Regardless, our source tells us that Zeid should appear close to our current line of advance in the city of Damaram and its large Mosque complex. As we don’t want to endanger civilian lives and the spiritual site itself - which would paint us in a bad light, we decided to send you on the ground. There is, however, an obstacle in the form of a small river, whose crossings are likely guarded by Zeid’s men. Capturing those will be your first objective.
Friendly Forces
- You will be playing as the French 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
- Each squad will be given two VPS 2 light mobility vehicles, which are by default equipped with an M2 and FN MAG machine guns, 1-1 and 2-1 will each have one VPS equipped with a GMG instead of the M2
- Attached to you is a duo of AMX-10RC’s and an engineer team from the 1st Marine Infantry Regiment
- Friendly Malian forces are also in the area to the east and will be providing outer security of the AO and other support tasks
Enemy Forces
- A mix of relatively experienced insurgents and poorly trained conscripted fighters
- Light vehicles as a standard
- Occasional armoured vehicles captured from the Malian Armed Forces
- Unconventional means such as suicide bombers, IEDs etc.
Extra notes/tips
Speed is essential. Apart from pre-set objectives, it is advised for you to not get bogged down in urban combat to keep up the momentum.
Preset
with these additional mods:
