R.I.P. - SCH Harold VORMEZEELE (FR)(Foreign Legion - Mali, Operation Serval)

 On February 19, shortly before 11 o'clock, the French elements consist of a section of paratroopers, backed by a forward air controller and an armored patrol on a reconnaissance mission in the massif of Adrar fifty kms South Tessalit were attacked by terrorist groups.

During the clash, Sergeant-Chef VORMEZEELE, NCO Group paratroopers of the 2nd REP in Calvi, was fatally wounded. It is the second French soldier to be killed in combat since the launch of Operation Serval Mali.

Born 24 July 1979 in Belgium, Sergeant Harold VORMEZEELE

At age 19, February 24, 1999, he enlisted for five years in the Foreign Legion as a committed volunteer. After his initial training at the 4th Foreign Regiment of Castelnaudary, he joined July 22, 1999 the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment as grenadier voltigeur ( Infantry Riflemen).

As of 19 August 2000, he was led, in the same regiment, to exercise the responsibilities of radiographiste operator. Legionnaire serious and motivated, it appears appropriate and effective, being particularly rigorous in the execution of assignments. February 1, 2002, he was elevated to the distinction Legionnaire first class.
Appointed to the rank of corporal, Attended CME Basic NCO Course, This course is the NCO academy and resembles Ranger School energetic and determined, it is distinguished by its remarkable investment and excellent physical condition. Showing great potential, he then joined the paratroopers section is then naturally oriented body of NCOs and was appointed to the Attended CM1 Advanced NCO school Resembles BNOC and a combination of Ranger school rank of sergeant July 1, 2005. He then perfected in the third dimension and obtained his patent upper technician Army (BSTAT). His deep attachment to France made him file a naturalization he gets 7 May 2010. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant 1st July of the same year.
Always showing a remarkable dedication to his craft and availability flawless Sergeant VORMEZEELE conducted several field missions: Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2000, Gabon in 2001, Djibouti in 2001 and 2011, New Caledonia in 2003, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire in 2006, the Central African Republic in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
January 23, 2013, in the "CHEETAH", it is intended in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. On the night of January 27 to 28, during Operation "Serval" he parachutes with his unit in the city of Timbuktu in Mali. Paratrooper commando particularly competent and experienced, it proves once again to pitch in this crisis.
Sergeant-chef VORMEZEELE held four three quotes with attribution of the Cross of Military Valour and one with awarding the gold medal to national defense.
Sergeant -Chef VORMEZEELE was also holder of French commemorative medal with clasps "former Yugoslavia" and "Afghanistan," Medal with Overseas staples "Republic of Côte d'Ivoire" and "Central African Republic" Cross the fighter and national defense medal - gold level.

Harold VORMEZEELE soldier, a hero, an example, rest in peace.

from www.socnet.com

Official French link: [In memoriam] Mali : décès du sergent-chef Harold Vormezeele

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French troops fight Islamist rebels on the ground in Mali

French troops have engaged in close-quarter combat with Islamist fighters on Wednesday in the Malian town of Diabaly in the first ground clashes after days of air strikes, according to Malian security forces.
"The special forces are currently in Diabaly, in close-quarter combat with the Islamists. The Malian army is also in place," the Malian security source told news agency AFP on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, France’s army chief confirmed French troops have begun a ground offensive in Mali.

"The ground operation began several hours ago," Admiral Edouard Guillaud told Europe 1 radio on Wednesday morning.

French armoured units and Malian government forces set off towards the north from the capital Bamako, supporting airstrikes that began last week.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed that the troops, whose number is set to triple from 800 at present to 2,500 men, faced a long and tough battle against determined fighters whose number he estimated at up to 1,300.

"It's a little more difficult in the west, where we have the toughest, most fanatical and best-organised groups. It's under way there but it's difficult," he said.

A first contingent of 190 Nigerian troops was also due to arrive in Bamako on Wednesday as part of a regional force of over 3,000 soldiers from Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo to support the French and Malian troops.

In addition, Germany announced today it would send two military transport planes to support the mission, with the planes mainly used to move African troops.

Belgium has offered two C-130 transport planes and two helicopters to back up
France's offensive, while Britain and Canada have offered troop transporters.

On the ground, a military source said the Islamists were some 80 kilometres north of Markala, putting them around 350 kilometres away from Bamako.

A convoy of armoured vehicles was also reported by a local government official to be heading to the town of Diabaly, which Al Qaeda-linked groups seized earlier this week.

The United Nations humanitarian agency said on Tuesday 144,500 refugees have fled the unrest to neighbouring Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Algeria, while another 230,000 were internally displaced.

By RFI
France - Mali -
Article published the Wednesday 16 January 2013 - Latest update : Wednesday 16 January 2013

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French Planes Bomb Town Seized by Mali Islamists

French warplanes have bombed a Malian town seized by Islamist militants as more troops prepare to join the offensive against the extremist groups.

Witnesses say French planes attacked Diabaly overnight, just hours after Islamist fighters took control of the town, located 400 kilometers north of Mali's capital, Bamako.

French defense officials say the French contingent in Mali, now at 750, will gradually rise to 2,500.  And Nigeria said Tuesday that it will deploy its first troops into Mali within 24 hours.

West African countries have speeded up their planned deployment to Mali after Islamist groups that control the north began advancing last week.

Sonny Ugoh, communications director for the Economic Community of West African States, said in an interview with VOA's English to Africa that ECOWAS members sensed the need for urgency.

"They have said member countries should deploy immediately in order to support Mali to defend its territorial integrity, defend the capital from this onslaught and secure the country," Ugoh said. "I think they have acted as responsibly as the situation requires."

The French ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud, said Monday that a Nigerian general who will lead the African force is already in Bamako.  The neighboring countries of Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal have also promised promise to send troops.

France deployed forces in Mali on Friday, acting on a request from Mali's interim government.  Araud said the government decided to offer military help because it was worried the militants could possibly take over the country.

"Our assessment was that they were totally able to take Bamako," he said. "And so, we decided that what was at stake was the existence of the state of Mali, and beyond Mali was the stability of all of West Africa.  With determination, but also with reluctance, we decided that we had no other choice but to launch this military intervention and we'll conduct it as long as necessary."

from THEATHRUM BELLI flickr

The United Nations refugee agency said Tuesday that the latest clashes have driven more than 1,000 Malians into neighboring countries.  It says the total number of Malian refugees in the region now stands at 144,000, and that more than 200,000 Malians are displaced within the country.

The United States said Monday that it is preparing to offer logistical support to France.  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the United States is already providing intelligence gathered by unmanned aerial vehicles operating in the region.  He said Washington is also considering providing limited logistical support and some airlift capability.

Al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremists seized control of northern Mali soon after renegade soldiers toppled the government in March, leaving a temporary power vacuum.  The militants have imposed harsh conservative Islamic law across the north.

Mali is a former French colony and France still has a variety of economic and political interests there.

from VOA News
January 15, 2013

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