Jihadist Surge: JNIM's Quest for Sahel Dominance and the Shift in Regional Power
The insurgent group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched a series of lethal attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in May and June, leaving over 850 people dead. Analysts suggest this surge in violence marks a strategic shift toward controlling urban territories in the Sahel, as regional governments grapple with geopolitical changes.
Gunfire shattered the dawn on June 1 at Mali's Boulkessi military base as jihadist insurgents linked to al-Qaeda stormed the camp. Caught off guard, newly deployed soldiers scrambled for cover or fled, leading to a massacre that jihadists jubilantly documented in online videos.
These attacks were part of a deadly spree by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), claiming over 400 soldiers' lives in the region from May to June. Regional analysts note a strategic shift as JNIM aims to control territories around urban centers in the Sahel, sparking fears of escalating conflict.
The violence underscores a geopolitical shift as Sahelian governments have distanced themselves from Western allies, seeking Russian military support, only to face ongoing insurgencies. Analysts believe JNIM's goal is to impose Islamic rule across the West Africa coast while targeting marginalized communities for recruitment.
(With inputs from agencies.)
- READ MORE ON:
- JNIM
- Sahel
- Mali
- Burkina Faso
- Niger
- jihadist
- insurgency
- al-Qaeda
- Iyad Ag Ghaly
- violence
ALSO READ
Nigeria’s Economic Reforms Show Promise Amid Challenges and Priorities
International Drug Bust: Nigerian Nationals Detained in Bengaluru
Major Drug Bust Near Kempegowda Airport: Nigerians Arrested
Rising Violence in Nigeria: A Grim Overview
SEC Nigeria, Quidax Host Forum to Equip Banks for Digital Asset Revolution
Google News