Analysis & Reports

The Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising 6,000 soldiers, was established in December 2025 in Niamey, Niger, to combat escalating violence in the Sahel. The force aims to operate across borders without restrictions, unlike the previous G5 Sahel force. JNIM and ISSP have intensified their attacks, including a significant assault on Niamey's airport, highlighting the urgent need for effective military coordination in the region.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 26 2026Loading...

The Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising 6,000 soldiers, was established in December 2025 in Niamey, Niger, to combat escalating violence in the Sahel. The region has seen a dramatic increase in security incidents, with over 9,000 deaths reported in 2025. JNIM and ISSP have intensified their operations, including a notable attack on Niamey's airport. The AES aims for operational autonomy and has diversified its military partnerships, moving away from reliance on France.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 26 2026Loading...

In February 2026, ECOWAS approved the formation of a new counter-terrorism force comprising 1,650 troops from six West African nations. Concurrently, U.S. troops were deployed in Nigeria to assist in counter-terrorism efforts, marking a significant shift in regional security dynamics. The report emphasizes the challenges faced by ECOWAS in mobilizing resources and the implications of U.S. involvement in the region's security landscape.

Marie DuboisThu Mar 26 2026Loading...

JNIM controls 60% of Burkina Faso as the AES struggles to counter terrorism. In January 2026, a coordinated attack targeted the Dori Hamani airport and base 101 in Niger, highlighting vulnerabilities in military infrastructure. The AES's joint force of 5,000 soldiers remains largely ineffective, while JNIM's operational sophistication increases, threatening regional stability.

Marie DuboisWed Mar 25 2026Loading...

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed in September 2023 by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, is facing a significant disinformation campaign aimed at undermining its legitimacy. Since late 2025, various fake social media accounts have targeted AES leaders, spreading false information and deepfakes. This disinformation is compounded by the ongoing jihadist insurgency in the region, complicating the AES's efforts to establish a stable security architecture.

Marie DuboisWed Mar 25 2026Loading...

In 2026, jihadist groups intensified operations across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, leading to significant casualties and a deteriorating security situation. The Tillabéri region in Niger became the deadliest area, with over 50 civilian deaths from major attacks. The GSIM executed coordinated assaults in Burkina Faso, showcasing their operational capabilities. Counter-insurgency efforts by state forces have been marked by severe human rights violations.

Marie DuboisTue Mar 24 2026Loading...

Terrorist groups, including JNIM and ISSP, have escalated their operations in the Sahel, utilizing forests as strategic bases for attacks and illegal activities. In 2025, over 9,362 people were killed in security incidents across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The U.S. has deployed drones to Nigeria to assist in counter-terrorism efforts, while the region faces increasing violence and humanitarian crises due to armed groups blocking aid and targeting civilians.

Marie DuboisTue Mar 24 2026Loading...

Jama'at al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) conducted coordinated attacks across Burkina Faso in February 2026, demonstrating significant operational capability. The Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) targeted military infrastructure in Niger in January 2026. In response, ECOWAS announced plans to form a 2,000-soldier counter-terrorism force by the end of 2026. Concurrently, the U.S. deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones and 200 troops to Nigeria, marking a strategic repositioning in the region.

Marie DuboisMon Mar 23 2026Loading...

In February 2026, CEDEAO military chiefs met in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to discuss forming a 2,000-man anti-terrorist force amid escalating jihadist threats in the Sahel. JNIM has consolidated control over significant territory in Burkina Faso, while ISSP has demonstrated operational sophistication with drone and mortar attacks. The report highlights the urgent need for effective regional cooperation to address the growing security crisis.

Marie DuboisMon Mar 23 2026Loading...

French forces completed their withdrawal from Mali between 2022 and 2025, leaving a security vacuum exploited by jihadist groups like Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Mouslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). The security situation has worsened, with increased attacks on national forces and over 2.5 million internally displaced persons. The dissolution of the UN mission in Mali in December 2023 further complicates stabilization efforts.

Marie DuboisSun Mar 22 2026Loading...

The U.S. deployed 200 troops and several MQ-9 Reaper drones to Northeast Nigeria in January 2026 to combat jihadist threats from ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates. This deployment marks a strategic shift in U.S. military presence in West Africa, focusing on intelligence support and training for Nigerian forces. The operation is part of a broader partnership with Nigeria amid escalating violence in the Sahel region.

Marie DuboisSun Mar 22 2026Loading...

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) have established operational bases in forest reserves, leading to significant military casualties in Benin and Nigeria. In March 2026, over 120 soldiers were reported killed in various attacks. The U.S. is normalizing relations with Sahelian military juntas, while Côte d'Ivoire faces diplomatic isolation due to its military partnerships with France. This evolving situation highlights the growing influence of jihadist groups in the region.

Marie DuboisSat Mar 21 2026Loading...

On January 29, 2026, thirty fighters from the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) assaulted Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, using armed drones, light weapons, and mortars. This two-hour attack highlights the growing operational capacity of jihadist groups in the Sahel, amidst a deteriorating security situation in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military juntas struggle to contain terrorism.

Marie DuboisFri Mar 20 2026Loading...

The Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was established in December 2025, comprising 6,000 troops based in Niamey, Niger. This force aims to operate across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, focusing on countering jihadist threats. The AES has validated its operational capabilities through the Yereko 2 mission and has adopted a multipolar approach to military procurement, enhancing its strategic autonomy.

Marie DuboisFri Mar 20 2026Loading...

On January 29, 2026, the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) launched an assault on Niamey International Airport and Air Base 101, involving 30 fighters equipped with armed drones, light weapons, and mortars. The two-hour nighttime attack was repelled, but it underscored the ongoing threat posed by jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Despite intensified counter-terrorism operations, the incident revealed vulnerabilities in military infrastructure and the capability of insurgents to conduct coordinated attacks.

Marie DuboisWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

Nigeria is leading military modernization in West Africa, acquiring 24 M-346FA aircraft and 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters to enhance its capabilities against Boko Haram. Senegal and Mali are also increasing military imports, with Mali pivoting towards Russia for arms. The U.S. has approved a $346 million contract for precision munitions for Nigeria, while Nigeria seeks to develop local defense technologies with UAE investment.

Marie DuboisWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is operationalizing a unified force of 6,000 troops to combat jihadist threats in the Sahel, following a critical meeting in Ouagadougou on February 26, 2026. Concurrently, ECOWAS announced the activation of its standby force to deploy 2,000 soldiers by the end of 2026. The security situation continues to deteriorate, with increased attacks by groups like Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State's Sahel Province (ISSP), leading to significant civilian casualties and a fragmented security landscape.

Marie DuboisWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

The Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) operationalized in December 2025, comprising 5,000 to 6,000 troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, under General Daouda Traoré in Niamey. This initiative aims to address escalating security threats from al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked groups. The AES has distanced itself from French defense partnerships, seeking support from Russia, while facing significant operational challenges due to aging equipment and logistical limitations.

Marie DuboisTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

The AES Unified Force, comprising 6,000 troops, was launched in December 2025 in Niamey, Niger, to counter jihadist violence in West Africa. This force represents a shift towards strategic autonomy, moving away from reliance on external funding and partnerships. Concurrently, the ECOWAS Rapid Deployment Force plans to mobilize 2,000 soldiers by the end of 2026 to address the growing threat from armed groups. Recent attacks by JNIM in Burkina Faso highlight the ongoing security challenges in the region.

Marie DuboisTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

In February 2026, ECOWAS announced the deployment of 2,000 soldiers to combat escalating jihadist violence in the Sahel, while the Sahel Alliance, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has 6,000 troops. IS-Sahel attacked Niamey's airport, exposing security weaknesses, and JNIM has conducted over 500 attacks in Burkina Faso, controlling significant territory. The U.S. has intensified its military support in the region.

Marie DuboisMon Mar 16 2026Loading...