US Rules Out Military Intervention In Islamist-Dominated Breakaway Region Of Mali -- The Hill
The State Department's top official for Africa on Friday shot down proposals to reunify the West African country of Mali by force following a rebellion by nomadic Tuaregs and Islamist militants.
The comments by Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson come as several multinational organizations — notably the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — are discussing the viability of a peacekeeping mission in Mali. A military coup overthrew the country's government in March, and rebel groups in the north grabbed the opportunity to seize control of the northern part of the country and declare an Islamic breakaway state last month.
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Update: Mali Islamists threaten nations that join intervention force -- AFP
My Comment: The people in this region must eventually sort out their differences and conflicts. Throwing in a few hundred U.S. forces .... if not more .... will not resolve their underlying problems.