Several pro-IS sources have been circulating "news" of a large defection of rival #JNIM fighters to the ranks of IS #Sahel amid alleged internal divisions in JNIM's northern #BurkinaFaso branch. It is speculative at this stage - but one suggested that as many as 150 JNIM fighters may have defected
A new video from pro-al-Qaeda group 'Ajnad Bayt al-Maqdis' has claimed attacks on US and Israeli military targets in Syria. Despite emerging as the #IranWar began, the latest video stresses attacks are in support of Palestinians, possibly an attempt to distance itself from #Iran and its proxies
In actual fact, the strait's name has nothing to do with the 7th Century battle, but it is interesting how today's geopolitics can prompt creative reinterpretations of history. The name is much older, most likely deriving its name from the Zoroastrian God Ahura Mazda or Hormuzd
I've seen several Arabic social media posts recently claiming the Strait of #Hormuz should be renamed the "Strait of Khalid", after the 7th C. commander who defeated the #Persian commander Hormozd Jadhuyih at the Battle of the Chains in 633 (cont. below)
Always a pleasure to speak to John Simpson on BBC's Unspun World. This time, we discussed Islamist militancy in West #Africa’s infamous “coup belt” region and why Russian mercenaries may be exacerbating insecurity #Sahel #Mali
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hg1...
A language analysis of JNIM's Ramadan series "Nafhat Ramadan" reveals a strong predominance of Fulani/Peul - playing to #JNIM's main ethnic support base. Interesting that Bambara appeared only once despite recent militant focus on #Mali, and French not once. #Sahel #Africa
In the last year, IS #Sahel attacks have been gradually creeping closer to #Niger's southern border with #Nigeria (red dots on map). So far, there have been no IS claims in NW Nigeria, but the notoriously porous border with Dosso makes this a distinct possibility
Well worth watching this documentary from #BBCAfricaEye which managed to get rare frontline access to Puntland's fight against #IslamicState www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmIs...
My latest feature for BBC News explores why high-profile abductions of foreign nationals in the #Sahel spiked last year, and tells the stories of some of the victims and their families
Thanks Heni Nsaibia from MENASTREAM for sharing your analysis
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#BBCNews - Kidnapping of foreigners soars in Africa's lawless Sahel region
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
By @jboswall.bsky.social
Iran-based Baloch Sunni militant group Ansar al-Furqan have called on #Iranians to rise up against #Iran's leaders, saying "if you see the mujahideen in your vicinity, cooperate fully", providing contact details for further guidance
Mali has spent approx. $1bn on Russian mercenaries since their arrival in late 2021, according to this new investigation by @matteomaillard.bsky.social @jeuneafrique.com. That is reportedly more than the annual Malian defence budget
www.jeuneafrique.com/1766436/poli...
A JNIM supporter video claims to show the aftermath of a "coordinated attack with the separatists" in Kidal, targeting a convoy of #Malian army and #Russian #AfricaCorps
Evidence of coordination with Tuareg armed groups is rare, and JNIM does not admit such coordination
You can read some more key takeaways on my blog piece for @BBCMonitoring – link below – and the whole report by signing up for a free trial. Thanks for data collection and reporting contributions from Collins Nabiswa
monitoring.bbc.co.uk/inside-bbcm/...
ACLED data also shows that there were unusually high numbers of foreign kidnapping incidents in #Niger and #Mali last year
Despite representing a very small number of foreign kidnappings, international media focused on five high-profile cases in which the victims were US or European nationals - or where the reported ransom pay-out was considerable. The majority of these occurred in the #Sahel
Overall, the mining sector was worst impacted by kidnapping of foreigners (around 30%), followed by transport (13%), humanitarian/NGOs (8%), cement (7%), and energy (7%)
2025 saw a significant increase in the kidnapping of foreign nationals in Africa’s #Sahel region. Around 40% of high-profile cases across Africa were #Chinese, many working in #Mali's gold-rich regions. Some 15% were #Indian nationals mainly working in energy and cement
A photo circulating after last night's apparent attack on Niamey airport in #Niger shows a black and white flag featuring the Shahada - further indication of jihadist involvement. But still no claim from either #JNIM or #ISSahel
Local #Niger media is suggesting that "mortar fire" targeted Niamey's international airport last night, lending credibility to the idea that an armed group - possibly #JNIM - might have launched an attack. No official claim from any group, though
www.actuniger.com/societe/2172...
As communities continue to feel the awful repercussions of Bondi, governments will be asking themselves what they can do to keep people safer... A wider interpretation of extremism may help flag dangerous individuals in future. My piece for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/332ec4fb
Similar to the New Orleans attack in January, IS has obliquely taken credit for inspiring the #bondiattack in #Sydney - but not for being operationally involved. Fits an emerging pattern of IS claims since summer last year in which IS blurs the line of what constitutes an IS attack
And ISEAP (Philippines/Indonesia) has not previously been known as a regional hub for operations abroad. A UNSC report from earlier this year estimated a 150-200 strong, highly factionalised, force
I shared some thoughts for BBC News on the trip made by the #bondibeach attack gunmen to the Philippines, allegedly for "military style training". IS operational capacity in the #Philippines has been low-level following a peak of activity around 2017-2019
Mali's Timbuktu region has been the focus of multiple pieces of #JNIM propaganda in recent weeks, where the group seems to be making extra efforts to win hearts and minds. This includes two statements condemning Africa Corps "executions" of civilians - a rarity since Wagner left in June
IS #Syria has officially claimed yesterday's attack in Aleppo which reportedly killed two Syrian govt customs officers. This comes on the heels of a rare attack - the first since 2018 - in Idlib province, traditionally a stronghold of HTS, and also rare #Islamicstate attacks in Homs and Hama
I spoke to @bellingcat.com about #JNIM's communication strategy in #Mali and how the group is articulating its ambitions at a critical point in the long-running jihadist insurgency
Great immersive investigative piece from Sebastian Vandermeersch, and insights from Héni Nsaibia
tinyurl.com/ys3exbh5
#JNIM claims killing 139+ people in its latest infographic poster rounding up attacks from November. Claimed fatalities fell from last month (187) but remain significantly higher than September (96) when resources began being poured into the #Mali fuel blockade
X's decision to display the geolocalisation of accounts has exposed dozens of prominent #Sahel pro-junta and pro-Russia influencers/trolls as based in the West, according to this article by LSI Africa. Many of them appear to be operating out of #France
www.lsi-africa.com/fr/actualite...
