🚨New Publication Alert
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My latest substack looks at the conflict in DRC, the AU’s new leadership, violence in Mali’s north and threats to the junta, the RSF’s attempts to remain a lasting force in Sudan, and Russian crimes in CAR.
open.substack.com/pub/theafric...
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: The attack took place in Dargo, not Kaya. Reports state that two VDP and one soldier were killed, but seven were wounded. The attack began at dawn and lasted three hours, reinforcements arrived two hours after JNIM militants had left. Footage below:
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: A VDP base was taken control of near Ouahigouya, #JNIM has claimed.
🇳🇪| #Niger: The Islamic State’s West Africa Province (#ISWAP) has claimed an attack on a military position in Diffa.
🇳🇬| #Nigeria: A ‘militiaman’ was executed in the countryside outside of Maiduguri, #ISWAP has reported.
🇲🇱| #Mali: A number of FAMa / Wagner troops were killed after two military vehicles were completely destroyed by IEDs, #JNIM has claimed. Images of the aftermath below:
It has been 10 days since the last the claimed attack in Benin, which did not have any reported casualties. It will be interesting to see how lethal this attack was, the deadly assault on the Triple Point Base seems a long time ago, but occurred on 08/01.
🇧🇯| #Benin: A military base was overran near Karimama, located close to the border with Niger, #JNIM has reported.
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Several security personnel, both soldiers and VDP, were killed near Kaya. #JNIM militants also reportedly seized a significant haul of weapons and ammo, including 46 kalashnikovs, a drone, 103 magazines, and other pieces of military equipment.
New publication:
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My latest substack looks at JNIM’s siege of Djibo, Trump’s reaction to a South African land law, footage of IS Sahel, plus updates from the conflict in Sudan and the battle against IS in Puntland.
open.substack.com/pub/theafric...
🇲🇱| #Mali: A #FAMa / Wagner vehicle was attacked with an IED in Mopti region, #JNIM has claimed today.
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Two VDP bases were targeted near Bam, #JNIM claimed last night. Two militiamen were killed and weapons and motorcycles were seized.
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Two military checkpoints were taken control of in Kongoussi, #JNIM claimed earlier today.
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Weapons and ammo were seized during this attack in Djibo, #JNIM has claimed. No reports of casualties, however.
Despite the extensive reports from Tuareg sources this morning, evidence has yet to appear supporting claims that a helicopter was shot down.
🇲🇱| #Mali: Following claims earlier today that a military helicopter was downed by the FLA near Tessalit, #FAMa has reported that this morning a drone was intercepted while flying over Tessalit airport. It was allegedly observing a helicopter at the base, which was not damaged.
🇲🇱| #Mali: It is being widely reported by Tuareg accounts that a #FAMa helicopter, likely operated by Russian forces, was shot down by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) near Tessalit. No visual confirmation at this time.
This likely means increased conflict with government forces, but also with one another as the two jihadist groups look to gain dominance and further their influence.
The Sahel will continue as one of the main epicentres of terrorism globally for the foreseeable future. Both the Islamic State’s local branch and JNIM are both displaying the capability and intent to escalate their violence and increase their territorial control.
Consequently, we can likely expect a growing amount of manpower and resources to be diverted in this direction in the future.
Prior to this release, the Islamic State’s last lengthy feature focussed on its West Africa Province (ISWAP), underscoring the increased importance of the African arena to the group’s central leadership.
In the video, the juntas are shown, as too are political figures such as Macron, Trump, and Putin. It also condemns JNIM, rebel groups in northern Mali, and others. This reflects the local and international aims of the group, as well as the broad audience it is trying to reach.
This video also shows a well-constructed training camp and some of its da’wah activities, underscoring the group’s long term preparations and intent to expand in the Sahel.
Showing the group conducting large-scale attacks on military bases - often using an array of light and heavy weaponry, as well as vehicles such as technicals, this video serves as a powerful demonstration of IS-Sahel’s offensive capabilities.
While IS-Sahel is highly active across portions of the region and conducts frequent attacks, it does so with far less publicity compared to its main adversary JNIM, which broadcasts many of its operations.
The Islamic State (#IS) has released
over 20 minutes of footage focussed entirely on its #Sahel province. As is to be expected with IS media publications, the video was powerful, well-produced, and at times quite graphic. Below is a snippet, as well as some initial thoughts.
🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: A military post near Banfora was taken control of, #JNIM has claimed.
