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Daily Maverick
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
West Africa terror — why attacks on military bases are rising, and how to respond
Immediate steps must be taken to combat a worrying rise in terrorist attacks in the region. More than 40 Malian soldiers were killed and one of the country's military bases was taken over in early June in a major attack by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), in the town of Boulikessi. This same group, linked to al-Qaeda, launched an attack on the historic city of Timbuktu. The Malian army claimed it repelled the attack and killed 14 terrorists. Terrorist groups have attacked Boulikessi in large numbers before. In October 2019, 25 Malian soldiers were killed. The target was a G5 Sahel force military camp. Timbuktu has been in the sights of terrorist groups since 2012. The JNIM laid siege to the city, which has a major airport and a key military base, for several months in 2023. In neighbouring Burkina Faso, there have been running battles in recent months between the military and terrorist groups. About 40% of the country is under the control of groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Military bases in the country have also been targeted. Mali and Burkina Faso are under military rule. Insecurity, especially increasing terrorist attacks, were key reasons the military juntas gave for seizing power in both countries. I have been researching terrorism and the formation of insurgent groups in west Africa and the Sahel for more than a decade. What I am observing is that the terrorist groups are becoming more daring and constantly changing tactics, with increased attacks on military camps across the region. Military camps are attacked to lower the morale of the soldiers and steal ammunition. It also sends a message to the locals that military forces are incapable of protecting civilians. I believe there are four main reasons for an increase in large scale attacks on military bases in the region: the loss of the US drone base in Niger, which has made surveillance difficult; an increase in human rights abuses carried out in the name of counterterrorism; a lack of a coordinated approach to counterterrorism; and constant changes of tactics by the terrorists. Identifying and addressing these issues are important to counter the trend. Why are the attacks increasing? First is the loss of the US drone base in Agadez, Republic of Niger, in 2024, after the military seized power in the country. I was initially sceptical when the drone base was commissioned in 2019. But it has, in fact, acted as a deterrent to terrorist groups. Terrorist organisations operating in the Sahel knew they were being watched by drones operating from the base. They were aware that surveillance information was shared with member states. The loss of the base has reduced reconnaissance and surveillance activities in the region. Second, an increase in human rights abuse in the fight against terrorism in the region is dividing communities and increasing recruitment into terrorist groups. A report by Human Rights Watch in May accused the Burkina Faso military and allied militias of killing more than 130 civilians during counterterrorism operations. It was argued in the report that members of the Fulani ethnic group were targeted in the operations because they were perceived to have relationships with terrorist groups. Terrorist groups are known to use such incidents to win the hearts and minds of local populations. Third, the lack of a coordinated approach to counterterrorism in the region is reversing the gains made in the past decade. Major developments have included the dissolving of the G5 Sahel. This grouping was created in 2014 to enhance security coordination between members. The members were Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Niger. The organisation launched joint counterterrorism missions across member states, but was dissolved in December 2023 after Niger and Burkina Faso withdrew. The weakening of the Multinational Joint Task Force due to the military coup in Niger and the countries' strategic repositioning is undermining counterterrorism initiatives. The task force members were Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin. The mandate of the task force is to combat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating around the Lake Chad basin. After its establishment in 2015, the task force achieved significant progress. In January, Niger suspended its membership, putting the fight against terrorism in the region in jeopardy. Fourth, terrorist groups in the region are becoming more sophisticated in their approach. In April, JNIM terrorists were suspected of launching a suicide drone attack on Togolese military positions. For its part, the military in the Sahelian countries are struggling to adapt to the terrorists' new tactics. In the past few years there has been a proliferation of drones in Africa by states and non-state actors. Halting the trend To combat the increasing attacks by terrorist groups, especially large-scale attacks on military positions, four immediate steps are necessary. First, nation states need to invest in surveillance capabilities. The loss of the drone base in Niger means Sahelian states must urgently find new ways of gathering and sharing intelligence. The topography of the region, which is mainly flat with scattered vegetation, is an advantage as reconnaissance drones can easily detect suspicious movements, terrorist camps and travel routes. There is also a need to regulate the use of drones in the region to prevent use by non-state actors. Second, countries fighting terrorism must find a way to improve the relationship between the military (and allied militias) and people affected by terrorism. My latest article on the issue, in the journal African Security, shows that vigilante groups engaged by the military forces are sometimes complicit in human rights abuse. Training on human rights is essential for military forces and allied militias. Third, terrorism funding avenues must be identified and blocked. Large-scale terrorist attacks involve planning, training and resources. Funding from illegal mining, trafficking and kidnapping must be identified and eradicated. This will also include intelligence sharing between nation states. Finally, the Sahelian countries must find a mechanism to work with the Economic Community of West African States. As the numbers and intensity of terrorist activities are increasing across the Sahel, immediate action is necessary to combat this trend. DM First published by The Conversation. Olayinka Ajala is an associate professor in politics and international relations at Leeds Beckett University in England. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
TimesLIVE
06-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Mali says two more army posts attacked as jihadist violence escalates
Islamist militants hit two more military installations on Wednesday and Thursday, Mali's army said, the latest in a quick spate of attacks that the insurgents say have killed hundreds of soldiers and underscored their gains. Ground and air reinforcements were being mobilised on Thursday morning to respond to an attack on a security post in Mahou, located in eastern Mali near the border with Burkina Faso, an army statement said. The attack was claimed by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group active in Mali and Burkina Faso. Information on a death toll was not immediately available. A military spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday afternoon "armed terrorists" struck a military camp in Tessit, near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, and Mali's military sent in aerial reinforcement, a separate statement said. There has been no claim of responsibility for that attack, though security analysts said it could have been perpetrated by fighters from the Islamic State branch active in the Sahel region.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mali says two more army posts attacked as jihadist violence escalates
BAMAKO (Reuters) -Islamist militants hit two more military installations on Wednesday and Thursday, Mali's army said, the latest in a quick spate of attacks that the insurgents say have killed hundreds of soldiers and underscored their gains. Ground and air reinforcements were being mobilised on Thursday morning to respond to an attack on a security post in Mahou, located in eastern Mali near the border with Burkina Faso, an army statement said. The attack was claimed by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group active in Mali and Burkina Faso. Information on a death toll was not immediately available. A military spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday afternoon, "armed terrorists" struck a military camp in Tessit, near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, and Mali's military sent in aerial reinforcement, a separate statement said. There has been no claim of responsibility for that attack, though security analysts said it could have been perpetrated by fighters from the Islamic State branch active in the Sahel region. "The camp was attacked, and there was a violent exchange of fire. We learned that the attackers had taken control of the camp, and the population was leaving Tessit," said an official from the nearby town of Ouattagouna, who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. WIDESPREAD ATTACKS Mali's junta seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021, promising to restore security in a country that has grappled with jihadist militancy for more than a decade. But attacks continue in large swathes of the country. An army statement on Thursday described "a resurgence of cowardly and barbaric attacks" in recent weeks and said it was responding with a "counter-offensive", listing operations in six locations on Wednesday alone. An attack on Sunday on a military base in Boulkessi, in central Mali near the frontier with Burkina Faso, killed dozens of soldiers, security sources told Reuters this week. JNIM said in a statement the death toll was more than 100 soldiers and mercenaries, with more than 20 others captured. On Monday, JNIM said it targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries in the northern city of Timbuktu, where residents described taking cover from explosions and gunfire. Like neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has cut military ties with Western nations and turned to Russia for support. JNIM also claimed to have bombed Malian and Russian soldiers on the outskirts of Bamako on Wednesday, though Reuters could not independently confirm that incident and the army has not commented on it. Consulting firm Control Risks said in a note on Thursday the claim was "reliable" and that further attacks on and near Bamako were likely as JNIM seeks to undermine Mali's military rulers.
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Mali says two more army posts attacked as jihadist violence escalates
BAMAKO - Islamist militants hit two more military installations on Wednesday and Thursday, Mali's army said, the latest in a quick spate of attacks that the insurgents say have killed hundreds of soldiers and underscored their gains. Ground and air reinforcements were being mobilised on Thursday morning to respond to an attack on a security post in Mahou, located in eastern Mali near the border with Burkina Faso, an army statement said. The attack was claimed by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group active in Mali and Burkina Faso. Information on a death toll was not immediately available. A military spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday afternoon, "armed terrorists" struck a military camp in Tessit, near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, and Mali's military sent in aerial reinforcement, a separate statement said. There has been no claim of responsibility for that attack, though security analysts said it could have been perpetrated by fighters from the Islamic State branch active in the Sahel region. "The camp was attacked, and there was a violent exchange of fire. We learned that the attackers had taken control of the camp, and the population was leaving Tessit," said an official from the nearby town of Ouattagouna, who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. WIDESPREAD ATTACKS Mali's junta seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021, promising to restore security in a country that has grappled with jihadist militancy for more than a decade. But attacks continue in large swathes of the country. An army statement on Thursday described "a resurgence of cowardly and barbaric attacks" in recent weeks and said it was responding with a "counter-offensive", listing operations in six locations on Wednesday alone. An attack on Sunday on a military base in Boulkessi, in central Mali near the frontier with Burkina Faso, killed dozens of soldiers, security sources told Reuters this week. JNIM said in a statement the death toll was more than 100 soldiers and mercenaries, with more than 20 others captured. On Monday, JNIM said it targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries in the northern city of Timbuktu, where residents described taking cover from explosions and gunfire. Like neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has cut military ties with Western nations and turned to Russia for support. JNIM also claimed to have bombed Malian and Russian soldiers on the outskirts of Bamako on Wednesday, though Reuters could not independently confirm that incident and the army has not commented on it. Consulting firm Control Risks said in a note on Thursday the claim was "reliable" and that further attacks on and near Bamako were likely as JNIM seeks to undermine Mali's military rulers. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Mali says two more army posts attacked as jihadist violence escalates
BAMAKO (Reuters) -Islamist militants hit two more military installations on Wednesday and Thursday, Mali's army said, the latest in a quick spate of attacks that the insurgents say have killed hundreds of soldiers and underscored their gains. Ground and air reinforcements were being mobilised on Thursday morning to respond to an attack on a security post in Mahou, located in eastern Mali near the border with Burkina Faso, an army statement said. The attack was claimed by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group active in Mali and Burkina Faso. Information on a death toll was not immediately available. A military spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday afternoon, "armed terrorists" struck a military camp in Tessit, near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, and Mali's military sent in aerial reinforcement, a separate statement said. There has been no claim of responsibility for that attack, though security analysts said it could have been perpetrated by fighters from the Islamic State branch active in the Sahel region. "The camp was attacked, and there was a violent exchange of fire. We learned that the attackers had taken control of the camp, and the population was leaving Tessit," said an official from the nearby town of Ouattagouna, who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. WIDESPREAD ATTACKS Mali's junta seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021, promising to restore security in a country that has grappled with jihadist militancy for more than a decade. But attacks continue in large swathes of the country. An army statement on Thursday described "a resurgence of cowardly and barbaric attacks" in recent weeks and said it was responding with a "counter-offensive", listing operations in six locations on Wednesday alone. An attack on Sunday on a military base in Boulkessi, in central Mali near the frontier with Burkina Faso, killed dozens of soldiers, security sources told Reuters this week. JNIM said in a statement the death toll was more than 100 soldiers and mercenaries, with more than 20 others captured. On Monday, JNIM said it targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries in the northern city of Timbuktu, where residents described taking cover from explosions and gunfire. Like neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has cut military ties with Western nations and turned to Russia for support. JNIM also claimed to have bombed Malian and Russian soldiers on the outskirts of Bamako on Wednesday, though Reuters could not independently confirm that incident and the army has not commented on it. Consulting firm Control Risks said in a note on Thursday the claim was "reliable" and that further attacks on and near Bamako were likely as JNIM seeks to undermine Mali's military rulers. (Reporting by Mali newsroom; writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; editing by Mark Heinrich)
