Some of Timbuktu's residents agree, although many Tuaregs -- who themselves fought a rebellion against the Malian government between 1990 and 1996 -- are reluctant to discuss the "secrets of the desert" in public.
In the market town, where salt tablets are exchanged for rice, millet, sugar and tea, they say they are afraid of the US troops and fear their conversations might be overheard by off-duty Malian soldiers. Several say they take a detour home to avoid surveillance cameras where the US troops live.
"We have seen the Americans and we're afraid because they're armed. We don't know why they're here," said Agaly Ag Mohamed, a caravan driver setting off for Taoudenni with around 25 camels.
But in the privacy of their homes, some are more forthcoming.
"The head of the group who took the hostages is still in Mali, near to Boughessa (a village northeast of Timbuktu). He took water at a well there not long ago, according to caravan drivers who've been there," one guide said.
"Apparently since the hostage-taking they have grown to 3,000 people, because they have the means, they have a lot of money. Malians who didn't have jobs or had problems in their community went to join them, went where there are arms."
US officials say their mission in the region is purely a peacekeeping and humanitarian one, but not all the desert's dwellers are convinced.
A top US general said last month the military aimed to establish common practices and agreements around Africa allowing it fast access to emerging threats without permanent bases.
American officers acknowledge the training has established contacts which could be useful for other missions in the future.
"A year from now, or in two, or three, these guys can come back and don't think for a second they [the Malians] won't remember them," a spokeswoman for the US Special Forces said, as they handed out ice-cold sodas and cigars to the Malians in the desert heat.
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