Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
The JNIM Strangles Central Mali — Three Offensives in Ten Days Target the War Economy
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) conducted three major operations in Mali between January 29 and February 7, 2026, targeting economic infrastructure and local defense networks. An ambush on a fuel convoy near Kayes resulted in at least 15 deaths, while an attack on Dozo militiamen in Kendié killed five. The Malian army responded with airstrikes, killing 35 militants, but remains on the defensive as JNIM expands its operational reach.
Marie DuboisThu Feb 19 2026Loading...
Traoré abolished all parties in Burkina Faso — an unintentional strategic victory for JNIM
Captain Ibrahim Traoré dissolved all political parties in Burkina Faso on January 29, 2026, including those that supported his 2022 coup. This move eliminates potential challengers and creates a political vacuum that may benefit jihadist groups like JNIM. The dissolution is viewed as a significant step in consolidating Traoré's power and undermining civil political structures that could oppose him.
Marie DuboisWed Feb 18 2026Loading...Niger mobilizes its youth against France — the Tchiani junta turns a security failure into a rhetorical war
General Amadou Ibro announced the mobilization of hundreds of young Nigeriens against France during a speech in Niamey on February 11, 2026. He declared preparations for war, following accusations that France sponsored a recent attack on the airport. The junta's rhetoric aims to consolidate power amid internal challenges, leveraging historical grievances against France.
Marie DuboisWed Feb 18 2026Loading...
The JNIM Submerges Titao with Hundreds of Fighters — Seven Ghanaian Traders Killed in the February 14 Offensive in Burkina Faso
On February 14, 2023, JNIM launched a coordinated attack on Titao, Burkina Faso, overwhelming a well-equipped military post and targeting civilian traders. Seven Ghanaian traders were killed in the assault, which involved systematic destruction of telecommunications and economic infrastructure. The attack highlights JNIM's operational capabilities and strategic targeting of supply routes in the region.
Marie DuboisTue Feb 17 2026Loading...Saad leaves JNIM for the Islamic State — the largest transfer of fighters ever observed in eastern Burkina Faso
Saad defected from JNIM to ISIS in February 2026, taking a large number of fighters with him. This event marks the largest transfer of militants from JNIM to ISIS in eastern Burkina Faso, creating significant operational implications in the region. The defection is expected to intensify the ongoing conflict between the two groups, which has already resulted in substantial casualties.
Marie DuboisTue Feb 17 2026Loading...Borgu confirms the porosity of the Niger-Nigeria border — 46 dead in three villages targeted by motorcycle fighters
Armed men on motorcycles attacked the villages of Tungan Makeri, Konkoso, and Alissa in Borgu, Nigeria, on February 15, resulting in 46 deaths and numerous kidnappings. The attacks, attributed to groups like Lakurawa and JNIM, highlight the growing insecurity in the region, prompting local leaders to call for military intervention. This incident reflects a concerning trend of jihadist expansion in the area.
Marie DuboisMon Feb 16 2026Loading...Niamey accuses Paris of financing the airport attack — diplomatic escalation in the Sahel reaches a new level
Niger accused France of financing the January 28-29 attack on Niamey airport, claiming that French intelligence agencies supplied mercenaries with weapons since April 2025. The Nigerien Armed Forces reported neutralizing 20 mercenaries and capturing 11 others. This accusation represents a significant diplomatic escalation, with the Russian ambassador supporting Niger's claims, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the Sahel region.
Marie DuboisMon Feb 16 2026Loading...Titao demonstrates the formidable effectiveness of Burkinabé VDP against jihadist groups
On February 14, Burkinabé Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) repelled a jihadist attack in Titao, Loroum Province, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and recovering significant military equipment. The VDP, a civilian militia, has been instrumental in local defense against jihadist incursions, demonstrating the effectiveness of a hybrid defense model under Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Marie DuboisSun Feb 15 2026Loading...The unified force of the AES increases to 6,000 men — the military bet of the three capitals in the face of security chaos
Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani announced an increase in the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers on February 14, 2024, in Niamey. This move reflects the strategic ambitions of the military regimes in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso amid ongoing jihadist threats. The AES, formed in response to regional pressures and the withdrawal of French forces, aims to establish operational capability without Western support, while also signaling a shift towards closer ties with Russia.
Marie DuboisSun Feb 15 2026Loading...69 drone attacks in two years — JNIM transforms asymmetric warfare in the Sahel
Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) has conducted 69 drone attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo since early 2023, utilizing modified commercial drones to drop improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Wilayat Sahel have also engaged in similar operations across Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. This marks a significant evolution in asymmetric warfare tactics in the Sahel region, with jihadist groups coordinating their efforts and sharing operational knowledge.
Marie DuboisSat Feb 14 2026Loading...Moscow institutionalizes its presence in the Sahel — strategic agreement with Ouagadougou and AES ministerial format
On February 12, 2026, Russia formalized its military presence in the Sahel by signing a strategic agreement with Burkina Faso, focusing on security and counter-terrorism. This agreement marks a transition from private military contractor involvement to state-level cooperation, with Russian forces now operating under a formal diplomatic framework. The presence of Russian military personnel is increasing in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as Moscow seeks to enhance its influence in the region amid a withdrawal of Western forces.
Marie DuboisSat Feb 14 2026Loading...Washington Returns to the Sahel — 200 American Instructors Deployed to Nigeria to Counter Jihadist Expansion
The Pentagon confirmed the deployment of 200 U.S. military instructors to Nigeria on February 12, 2026, to train Nigerian armed forces in their fight against jihadist groups. This marks the first official ground deployment since controversial airstrikes in December 2025. The U.S. aims to support Nigeria amid rising jihadist threats and following the withdrawal of French forces from the Sahel region.
Marie DuboisFri Feb 13 2026Loading...36 Nigerien soldiers killed in Makalondi — JNIM strikes the Niger-Burkina Faso border
JNIM launched a deliberate assault on a fortified military position in Makalondi on February 4, resulting in the deaths of 36 Nigerien soldiers. The attackers seized at least 12 military vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns. This incident highlights the increasing operational capability of JNIM in the Tillabéri region, which has been a hotspot for jihadist activity.
Marie DuboisFri Feb 13 2026Loading...The Russian African Corps Takes Root in Niamey After Repelling the Islamic State's Assault
On January 28, thirty Islamic State fighters launched a coordinated assault on Niamey International Airport, targeting both the civilian terminal and the adjacent military base. The Russian African Corps and Nigerien Armed Forces repelled the attack, resulting in twenty attackers killed and four Nigerien soldiers injured. This incident underscores the growing military collaboration between Russia and Niger.
Marie DuboisThu Feb 12 2026Loading...The JNIM Drones Transform the War in the Sahel
JNIM launched a sophisticated drone attack on Niamey on January 29, 2025, targeting the international airport and military base. The assault involved RPGs and mortars, damaging military drones and a civilian aircraft. This marks a significant escalation in tactics, showcasing JNIM's advanced operational capabilities and integration of drone technology into their warfare strategy.
Marie DuboisThu Feb 12 2026Loading...Washington Returns to Bamako: The New American Strategy in the Sahel Challenges Russian Influence
On February 3, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Nick Checker arrived in Bamako to discuss counter-terrorism cooperation and economic relations with Mali's Foreign Minister. The U.S. is shifting its strategy in the Sahel, moving away from democracy promotion and focusing on intelligence sharing and potential arms supplies to combat jihadist threats. Russian contractors are currently operating in the region, complicating the security landscape.
Marie DuboisWed Feb 11 2026Loading...In Kokoloko, a Nigerien drone strikes a crowded market and kills 17 civilians
A Nigerien military drone struck a crowded market in Kokoloko on January 6, 2026, killing 17 civilians and injuring 13 others. Three ISIS fighters were also killed in the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the legality of such strikes under international humanitarian law, as the market was filled with civilians. Following the strike, most residents fled the village.
Marie DuboisWed Feb 11 2026Loading...The American Strikes in Sokoto Reveal AFRICOM's New Strategy in the Sahel
U.S. Air Force conducted airstrikes on December 25, 2025, in Bauni, Nigeria, killing over 100 fighters. The strikes targeted positions claimed to be affiliated with ISIS, but local sources indicate the presence of the Lakurawa group instead. This operation signifies a renewed military strategy by AFRICOM in Africa, raising concerns about civilian casualties and the accuracy of intelligence used.
Marie DuboisTue Feb 10 2026Loading...The attack on Niamey airport reveals the ISWAP-ISIS alliance between Lake Chad and the Sahel
ISWAP and ISIS affiliates attacked Niamey International Airport on January 29, destroying a Bayraktar TB2 drone and damaging several aircraft, resulting in 27 government personnel fatalities. This operation highlights a growing alliance between ISWAP and ISIS factions, with implications for regional security as they coordinate attacks across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
Marie DuboisTue Feb 10 2026Loading...Washington returns to the Sahel after the failure of its conditional strategy against the juntas
On February 7, 2025, U.S. officials engaged with the Malian junta in Bamako, marking a shift in U.S. policy after years of military cooperation suspension. The U.S. aims to address security threats, particularly from jihadist groups, while navigating the presence of Russian mercenaries in the region. Recent attacks have resulted in significant casualties among Nigerien soldiers, highlighting the ongoing instability in the Sahel.
Marie DuboisMon Feb 09 2026Loading...
