Camel-riding Meharists patrol the deserts

In Mauritania’s ancient town of Oualata, camel-riding Meharists patrol the desert fusing tradition with tech.

Transcript

00:00The fight against jihadism. Mauritania's camel riding Meharists guard the sands, a desert

00:19force like no other in Ulata. Armed with Kalashnikos and drones, the Meharists blend old world

00:24mobility with new age tech. But they're more than soldiers, they're shepherds, medics and

00:29messengers of the state.

00:46Once a relic of colonial history, today they patrol one of Africa's toughest frontiers. Near

00:51the poorest 2200-kilometer border with desert territory, including a vast border with Mali,

00:55which is riven by violence from jihadist groups. These elite riders protect what machines

01:00cannot reach. The dromedary camels are resilient, reliable and indispensable in this unforgiving terrain.

01:05Development follows their tracks where wells, clinics and new settlements sprout in the desert.

01:17Mauritania hasn't seen a jihadist attack since 2011.

01:23Mauritania hasn't seen a jihadist attack since 2011.

01:40Mauritania hasn't even pushed.

01:42Mauritania hasn't seen a jihadist attack since 2011.

01:43Mauritania

01:44Mauritania

01:45Mauritania