Islamic extremists based in the Malian town of Ansongo have destroyed a bridge near the Niger border, officials said on Friday, marking the first use of explosives by the insurgents since the start of a French-led military intervention two weeks ago.
This is only really effective in the rainy season, according to the article, and a short detour could still get the Chadian units moving toward Gao.
Give the jihadis some credit. Saddam's forces didn't manage to blow any bridges as a defensive move during the major combat operations phase, if I recall correctly.
I think this assessment of the jihadis as "a nimble and daunting enemy" by the reporters is kind of silly. But somebody in Jihad Central, Gao Branch, can read a map, it seems.
