Extremist attacks in the Sahel region of Africa have been on the rise in recent months, with Islamic militants targeting various countries in the area. In Mali, the capital city was attacked for the first time in nearly a decade, while in Burkina Faso, over 100 people were killed in a village attack by al-Qaida-linked jihadis. The security situation in the region has worsened, with a record number of attacks and civilian casualties reported.
Two main extremist groups, JNIM and ISIS, are operating in the region, with analysts noting that JNIM has gained more support from local populations due to close community ties. The military juntas in power in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have further destabilized the situation by cutting ties with Western allies, like France and the US, and seeking security partnerships with Russia.
The extremists in the Sahel finance themselves through various means, such as imposing taxes, controlling natural resources, and engaging in trafficking activities. The outlook for the future is grim, with analysts predicting the situation to worsen in the coming months, with the violence spreading to neighboring countries.
European and US efforts to support coastal nations in their counter-terrorism efforts are underway, but challenges remain, including restricted access to information and controlling the narrative by the ruling juntas. The situation in the Sahel poses a growing threat not only to the region but also to neighboring countries.
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