Latest news with #GroupfortheSupportofIslamandMuslims
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mali military withdraws from base after second deadly attack in days
Representative Image (AI-generated) The Malian military withdrew from a major base in the centre of the country Friday after it came under a second deadly attack in less than a week, according to multiple sources, as the country faces an uptick in jihadist assaults. At least 30 soldiers were killed at the Boulkessi army base in central Mali on Sunday in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). On Friday, a religious holiday in Mali, soldiers left the post after a new deadly assault, locals and a military source said, affirming there had been multiple deaths in a Thursday attack. "We are worried here in Boulkessi, very worried," a civil servant told AFP. "The soldiers have abandoned the Boulkessi camp. They left with all their belongings. The camp was attacked again yesterday," the person said. Mali marked the Muslim festival of Eid el-Adha, known locally as Tabaski, Friday. "Today after the holiday prayer, we noticed that the last Malian soldiers who were in the Boulkessi camp had left, they had abandoned the camp," a local elected official told AFP. Describing the departure as coming "at the request of the hierarchy", one security source told AFP the move was "strategic", contrary "to what Mali's enemies say". Another military source called it "purely tactical". While officials reported at least 30 dead in the first attack at Boulkessi Sunday, JNIM alleged it had killed more than 100 personnel and taken another 22 prisoner, on its Al-Zallaqa Foundation media platform. That statement was verified Saturday by SITE, a US organisation that follows radicalised groups. Attackers carried out an additional assault Monday on an army base and airport in the storied northern city of Timbuktu. Then on Thursday, insurgents attacked an army post in the village of Mahou in the southeastern Sikasso region, killing five. The army's general staff acknowledged the uptick in violence in a statement Thursday that said recent weeks had been marked by a "resurgence of cowardly and barbaric attacks against localities, peaceful populations, as well as military bases". It added that "these acts are being committed by a coalition of armed terrorist groups of all persuasions with internal and external support". Authorities have implemented or extended curfews in multiple locations across the country, notably the Timbuktu, Sikasso, Segou and Doila regions. Junta-ruled Mali has since 2012 faced attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group as well as separatist movements and criminal gangs.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Surging jihadist violence in Sahel fuels fears unrest may spread
We advance through the Sahel, weapons ready. A dust cloud rises behind us, and the silhouettes of enemy fighters loom against the setting sun. Abidjan: Jun 06, 2025 -Jihadists have intensified their offensives in the Sahel region in recent weeks, carrying out bloody raids in Mali, incursions into major cities in Burkina Faso and inflicting heavy army losses in Niger. The three Sahel states' military juntas, who had pledged during the coups that brought them to power to make security a priority, are struggling to contain the advance of jihadists, who are threatening more than ever neighbouring countries on the west African coast. The last few weeks have been particularly deadly in the Sahel, the poor, semi-arid region below the Sahara desert. Several hundred soldiers have been killed in various attacks claimed by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) in Mali and Burkina Faso, and the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) group in Niger. - Why are attacks intensifying? - "The global vision of regional terrorism is changing. There is an ideological aspect, but also an ethnic one," said Lassina Diarra of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast. "Jihadist leaders declared in March their intent to intensify attacks against national armies to prevent a genocide against the Fulani community." Military violence targeting civilians -- particularly the Fulani, often singled out in the Sahel region and accused of feeding the jihadists' ranks -- "has exacerbated grievances and played into jihadist narratives, driving JNIM's expansion", said the Soufan Center think tank in a brief. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo It also highlighted "a broader strategy to degrade public confidence in state forces, boost recruitment". "There is also a question of competition for territory," Diarra added. "JNIM is accelerating attacks to reduce the influence of EIS, which is making a comeback." - What are jihadists' ambitions? - According to many observers, the goals of JNIM and EIS differ. "EIS aims for a global jihad, with the intention of establishing a caliphate, the strict implementation of sharia law and a brutal approach, including against civilian populations," Diarra said. "JNIM has a more political approach". - Could they topple a government?- The capitals of Mali and Burkina Faso "are surrounded", said Diarra. "Given its increasing operational capabilities, JNIM has the capabilities to occupy a capital. The challenge will be to administer it. It's unclear they have the means and expertise in this area." For Gilles Yabi, founder of the west African think tank Wathi, it is important to remain cautious of "catastrophic" predictions. The jihadists' "main advantage is their mobility and ability to move and blend with populations", he said. "In Burkina Faso, we cannot rule out a Somalia-like scenario, with a capital that resists while the rest of the country is out of control," said a Western military source. - What response? - The juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger came to power through coups between 2020 and 2023 and are now united in a confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). They have been turning their backs on west African bloc ECOWAS and Western powers engaged in anti-jihadist efforts. The military rulers rarely communicate about jihadist attacks, insisting they are reclaiming large portions of territory. "What is concerning and greatly destabilises the military is the use of drones by armed groups, which can reduce or even annihilate the advantage armies seemed to have gained in recent months," said Yabi. "These governments live in isolation and also face financial issues, such as paying soldiers. There is reason to question their capacity to resist in the long run," Diarra said. The Alliance of Sahel States announced at the beginning of the year the formation of a 5,000-soldier joint force, with its three armies conducting operations together. "We can't say there are no results at all, but they are losing many men, which is likely creating concerns regarding soldier mobilisation," Yabi said. The Western military source said he "fears regional collapse" due to a "cocktail of factors: not very solid governments, all sorts of trafficking, demographic explosion, misinformation on social media and the withdrawal of American aid". - Could the threat spread? - The northern parts of Togo and Benin, bordering Sahelian states, are already regularly targeted by violent jihadist incursions. Benin maintains tense relations with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, which have accused it of harbouring jihadist training bases -- an accusation it denies. "The fact that Benin cannot directly talk with its neighbours and therefore struggles to secure its borders increases its vulnerability," Diarra said. JNIM is also seeking to establish itself in Senegal and Mauritania via Mali, according to a study by the Timbuktu Institute. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has taken the threat seriously. During a visit to Burkina Faso in May, Sonko said it was "illusory" to think jihadism would remain confined to the Sahel region.
Khaleej Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
54 soldiers killed after terrorist attack on military posts in Benin
Suspected insurgents killed 54 troops in an attack last week on military posts in a Benin national park, the government said Wednesday. Government spokesman Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji gave the new toll to a press briefing on the April 17 attack in the W national park in northern Benin, close to the frontiers with Burkina Faso and Niger. Authorities had previously said eight soldiers were killed. This is the heaviest official toll since the start of attacks in the north. The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM or JNIM in Arabic) which is affiliated with al Qaeda. It had said 70 Beninese soldiers were killed. "Even if its not the 70 ... it's a lot," the government spokesman acknowledged. "The soldiers who have fallen are our children, our parents, our friends," he said. The country deployed nearly 3,000 soldiers to secure its borders in January 2022. It later sent an additional 5,000 troops to bolster security in the north. Twenty-eight Benin soldiers were killed near the border between Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso in January in an attack also claimed by the GSIM.
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First Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
54 soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attack in Benin, says government
At least 54 soldiers were killed in a terror attack by suspected jihadists on military posts in Benin's W National Park on April 17, the government confirmed. This is the deadliest attack since jihadist violence began in northern Benin. read more 54 soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attack in Benin, says government. File Image- AP Suspected jihadist insurgents killed 54 troops in an attack last week on military posts in a Benin national park, the government said Wednesday. Government spokesman Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji gave the new toll to a press briefing on the April 17 attack in the W national park in northern Benin, close to the frontiers with Burkina Faso and Niger. Authorities had previously said eight soldiers were killed. This is the heaviest official toll since the start of jihadist attacks in the north. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM or JNIM in Arabic) which is affiliated with al Qaeda. It had said 70 Beninese soldiers were killed. 'Even if its not the 70 … it's a lot,' the government spokesman acknowledged. 'The soldiers who have fallen are our children, our parents, our friends,' he said. The country deployed nearly 3,000 soldiers to secure its borders in January 2022. It later sent an additional 5,000 troops to bolster security in the north. Twenty-eight Benin soldiers were killed near the border between Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso in January in an attack also claimed by the GSIM.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Jihadist attack in Benin left 54 dead: government
COTONOU: Suspected jihadist insurgents killed 54 troops in an attack last week on military posts in a Benin national park, the government said Wednesday. Government spokesman Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji gave the new toll to a press briefing on the April 17 attack in the W national park in northern Benin, close to the frontiers with Burkina Faso and Niger. Authorities had previously said eight soldiers were killed. This is the heaviest official toll since the start of jihadist attacks in the north. The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM or JNIM in Arabic) which is affiliated with al Qaeda. It had said 70 Beninese soldiers were killed. 'Even if its not the 70 ... it's a lot,' the government spokesman acknowledged. 'The soldiers who have fallen are our children, our parents, our friends,' he said. The country deployed nearly 3,000 soldiers to secure its borders in January 2022. It later sent an additional 5,000 troops to bolster security in the north. Twenty-eight Benin soldiers were killed near the border between Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso in January in an attack also claimed by the GSIM.
