Analysis & Reports

AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources

Borno 2026 — two surrenders and a thwarted ambush do not resume the Monguno-Banki axis

Military OperationsLogisticsOperational

On September 2, a patrol from the 151 Task Force Battalion was attacked by an IED and gunfire along the Miyanti-Banki axis in Borno, resulting in the death of three assailants. Two ISWAP fighters surrendered in Monguno with assault rifles and personal items. Despite these events, the Nigerian Army struggles to maintain control over supply routes, indicating ongoing logistical challenges in the region.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisWed Sep 02 2026
"The 150 surrenders of Boko Haram and ISWAP in Nigeria do not yet signal victory"

"The 150 surrenders of Boko Haram and ISWAP in Nigeria do not yet signal victory"

Military OperationsLogisticsOperational

On August 25, over 150 fighters from Boko Haram and ISWAP surrendered near Maiduguri, Nigeria, marking a significant increase in surrenders due to intensified military pressure. The report highlights that while this indicates stress within the insurgent networks, it does not equate to a strategic defeat. The Nigerian military's ongoing operations aim to disrupt insurgent logistics and maintain territorial control in the region.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisTue Aug 25 2026
The UN places ISWAP at the top of jihad — the Sahelian convergence tightens around Nigeria

The UN places ISWAP at the top of jihad — the Sahelian convergence tightens around Nigeria

Military OperationsForce MovementLogisticsHybrid

ISWAP is actively conducting military operations in Nigeria, with an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 fighters involved. The group is recruiting from local militias like Lakurawa and coordinating with other jihadist factions. Recent reports indicate a significant increase in ISWAP's activities, surpassing historical ISIS affiliates in Iraq and Syria. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing jihadist pressure from groups like EIGS, affecting regional stability.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisWed Aug 12 2026

ISWAP kills 8 soldiers in Borno in 2026 — the Maiduguri-Dikwa road becomes the real front

Casualties & LossesLogisticsOperational

Eight soldiers from the 24 Task Force Brigade were killed by an improvised explosive device on July 30, 2026, while escorting supplies along the Maiduguri-Dikwa route in Borno, Nigeria. This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISWAP to Nigerian military logistics and operations in the region. The attack is part of a broader pattern of assaults aimed at disrupting supply lines.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisSat Aug 01 2026

ISWAP Fails at Cross Kauwa in 2026 — a Camera Exposes Foreign Relays in Borno

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

ISWAP attempted an infiltration at Cross Kauwa on July 11, 2026, but was repelled by Nigerian forces from the 19th Brigade, resulting in two soldiers injured. A recovered Sony camcorder revealed operational footage and connections to foreign facilitators. The attack aimed to loot medical supplies amid a cholera outbreak, highlighting logistical challenges for ISWAP. A foreign suspect was arrested and evacuated by the Nigerian air force.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisTue Jul 14 2026
Tillabéri Under Double Offensive — JNIM and ISSP Strike Niger in June 2026

Tillabéri Under Double Offensive — JNIM and ISSP Strike Niger in June 2026

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

ISSP launched attacks on military positions in In-Ates and Banibangou, Niger, on June 17, 2026, resulting in heavy losses for Nigerien forces. JNIM attempted an incursion at Niamey's airport the following day. On June 30, JNIM conducted further attacks in Makalondi, Torodi, and Diagourou, alongside operations in Burkina Faso, indicating a coordinated strategy between the two jihadist groups. The situation highlights the escalating conflict in the Tillabéri region.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisFri Jul 10 2026
Nigeria launches its wargaming center 2026 — Abuja wants to think faster than Boko Haram

Nigeria launches its wargaming center 2026 — Abuja wants to think faster than Boko Haram

Military OperationsLogisticsStrategic AssessmentHybrid

The Nigerian Army inaugurated a wargaming center in Abuja on June 26, 2023, to enhance military planning against Boko Haram and ISWAP. This center aims to improve coordination across land, maritime, air, cyber, and informational dimensions. Despite claims of neutralizing over 13,000 terrorists, challenges remain in controlling rural areas and ensuring effective military responses. The center is expected to facilitate better strategic assessments and logistical planning for future operations.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisSun Jun 28 2026

The JNIM Offensive in Mali: Fracture of the Sahel Security Model and Regional Recomposition

Military OperationsLogisticsOperational

On April 25, 2026, JNIM and FLA conducted coordinated attacks across five Malian cities, including a suicide bombing that killed the Defense Minister in Kati. This operation marks a significant strategic shift, as JNIM, with 5,000 to 6,000 fighters, has initiated an economic blockade of Bamako, aiming to undermine the Malian state. The attacks reflect a growing sophistication in tactics and a new alliance between jihadist and secular separatist forces.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisFri May 15 2026

Mali on the Brink of Collapse: The Coordinated Offensive of JNIM and FLA Marks a Strategic Turning Point in the Sahel

Military OperationsLogisticsOperational

On April 25, 2026, the JNIM and FLA launched a coordinated offensive against multiple strategic locations in Mali, including Bamako and Kidal, involving 10,000 to 12,000 fighters. The offensive marks a significant territorial setback for the Malian government, highlighted by the assassination of Defense Minister Sadio Camara. The situation has escalated with JNIM blocking access routes to Bamako, leading to a humanitarian crisis as civilians are stranded.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisFri May 01 2026

Burkina Faso: The Major Spring 2026 Offensive Marks a Turning Point in the Fight Against Terrorism in the Sahel

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

Burkinabe Armed Forces conducted extensive military operations against terrorist groups in March and April 2026, achieving significant victories including the recapture of Pétégoli and the neutralization of over a hundred terrorists in a single operation. The 28th Rapid Intervention Battalion and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland played key roles in these efforts, which disrupted enemy logistics and secured strategic locations across the country. This campaign marks a pivotal shift in Burkina Faso's counter-terrorism strategy, emphasizing national capabilities over foreign assistance.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisSun Apr 19 2026

The Alliance of Sahel States in the Face of Jihadist Escalation: Between Security Collapse and Regional Fracture

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

In February 2026, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched a large-scale coordinated attack across Burkina Faso, resulting in significant casualties, including 80 soldiers in Titao. The Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) attacked the international airport in Niamey, demonstrating vulnerabilities in key security infrastructure. The ongoing crisis has led to a blockade of fuel supplies to Bamako, severely impacting the economy and security perception in the region.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisMon Mar 30 2026
The Sahel now accounts for half of global terrorist deaths: The UN calls for urgent coordinated action

The Sahel now accounts for half of global terrorist deaths: The UN calls for urgent coordinated action

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

The Sahel region has become the epicenter of global terrorism, with over half of the world's terrorism-related deaths occurring there. Between January and November 2025, 450 attacks resulted in more than 1,900 fatalities, primarily attributed to groups like JNIM and ISWAP. These groups have expanded their operations into coastal states, threatening regional stability and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent funding and coordinated action.

Marie DuboisMarie DuboisMon Feb 23 2026