This is at least a smart move on the part of the jihadis in Mali. They moved on Banamba:
A town 90 miles (144 kilometers) from Mali's capital was put on alert Wednesday, and roughly 100 Malian soldiers sped there after a reported sighting of jihadists in the vicinity.
I bet 25 jihadis mounting a night assault would panic the Mali troops into running.
Or if thejihadis didn't move toward Banamba, the Mali reaction indicates why they should. With the small forces involved and the vast spaces, nobody can defend everywhere. So both sides need to attack and pick off enemy forces where they do stand. French air power is too small to really savage the jihadis as they move around.
Were I in charge of jihad central up in Gao, I'd commit forces to smashing the Mali garrison that is blocking the route north of Diabaly where the French are in the process of fixing and destroying the small jihadi force in that town.
Keep picking off the Mali army and the small French contingent will have a lot more to do. And maybe tire before they can really defeat the jihadis.
