Analysis & Reports

Germany has deployed the minesweeper 'Fulda' and supply ship 'Mosel' through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea for mine clearance operations in the Hormuz Strait. The German Defense Minister emphasized the need for a clear international legal framework and consent from Iran and Oman for the operation.

Armed men attacked the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on June 18, 2026, resulting in gunfire and explosions. This incident marks the second attack on the airport this year, following a previous assault claimed by ISIS. The airport serves as both a civilian and military facility, raising concerns about security vulnerabilities in urban areas. Nigerien Armed Forces responded to the attack, which underscores the ongoing threat from armed groups in the region.

Marie DuboisThu Jun 18 2026Loading...

The German Navy is deploying two ships, the mine-clearing ship Fulda and the supply ship Mosel, to Djibouti in preparation for a potential mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz. This deployment involves 140 soldiers and is part of the EU operation Aspides. Parliamentary approval is needed for the mission, which is contingent on a stable situation regarding Iran and an international mandate. Iran has issued warnings against European naval presence in the region.

Colombian contractors, known as Lobos del Desierto, are actively participating in drone warfare alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan as of June 2026. They are providing critical skills in drone operation and logistics, significantly impacting the conflict. The RSF has adapted its tactics, leading to increased drone strikes that have resulted in over 1,000 civilian casualties. Key logistical routes for these contractors involve complex international travel.

Marie DuboisThu Jun 18 2026Loading...

AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE signed contracts for nine L-39 Skyfox aircraft, marking its first entry into Africa and the Americas. The Angolan Air Force will receive up to four aircraft, while a North American customer will help market the aircraft. AERO's production is booked until 2027, with total orders exceeding 200 million euros.

On June 16, the Chinese peacekeeping helicopter unit successfully passed a UN equipment inspection in Abyei, confirming that all equipment met mission standards. The inspection covered 24 items, including housing facilities and medical equipment, and the unit was commended for its operational readiness and management practices. The unit continues to ensure equipment is maintained for ongoing peacekeeping tasks.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group and three JMSDF ships conducted joint training exercises in the Western Pacific from May 22 to June 16, 2026. The exercises included air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and underway replenishment, highlighting the operational capabilities of the Japan-U.S. supply network. Guam was utilized as a strategic logistics hub during these operations, signaling a deterrent posture against Chinese naval activities.

Tanaka TakashiThu Jun 18 2026Loading...

On June 6, 2026, the Nigerian Army released 360 hostages in the Mandara Mountains after clashes with Boko Haram, which had killed five Nigerian soldiers a day earlier. The Lake Chad region is witnessing intensified competition between ISWAP and Boko Haram for control, impacting local communities and humanitarian conditions. The Nigerian military continues operations against jihadist factions, but the situation remains complex and fluid.

Marie DuboisWed Jun 17 2026Loading...

The 71st Group Army conducted live-fire training exercises in an unfamiliar region, focusing on air defense operations. Multiple units coordinated to intercept simulated enemy aircraft, successfully engaging and destroying targets during both day and night operations. This exercise aimed to enhance the combat readiness and capabilities of the air defense units.

The U.S. conducted 64 airstrikes against al-Shabaab in Somalia in 2026, with AFRICOM acknowledging 63. A strike on November 15, 2025, reportedly killed at least 12 civilians, including children. Despite these operations, al-Shabaab maintains control over key territories and routes, undermining the effectiveness of U.S. air support. The situation reflects ongoing challenges in achieving lasting security in the region.

Marie DuboisWed Jun 17 2026Loading...

The U.S. Department of Defense is emphasizing rapid innovation in military technology, particularly in drone production and weapon systems. Recent developments include Marines field-producing shaped charges from local materials in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating significant advancements in military capabilities. The Pentagon has also introduced a 'patent holiday' to facilitate access to government-held technological patents, aiming to enhance defense innovation.

On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo State, abducting 46 individuals, including 39 students and 7 teachers. One teacher was killed during the assault, and another died in captivity. This incident signifies a troubling expansion of kidnapping activities into southwestern Nigeria, a region previously viewed as secure.

Marie DuboisTue Jun 16 2026Loading...

Ukrainian forces attacked an oil refinery in the Moscow region on June 16, as confirmed by President Zelensky. This action was framed as a retaliatory measure against prior Russian strikes on Ukraine and a response to the prolonged conflict. Zelensky highlighted the urgency for an end to the ongoing hostilities.

JNIM has established a logistical blockade affecting supply routes to Bamako, significantly disrupting the flow of goods and resources. This blockade, which began after coordinated attacks in April 2026, targets key routes from Dakar, Conakry, and Abidjan, leading to shortages and increased prices in the capital. The group aims to exert pressure on the Malian state by making transportation too risky and costly.

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ISWAP attacked a local security position held by hunters in Kautikari, Nigeria, on June 13, 2023. The initial defense was successful, but ISWAP regrouped, leading to a temporary retreat of the defenders. One civilian was injured, and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force was hurt, while no soldiers were reported casualties. The incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by ISWAP in the region and the psychological impact on the local community.

Marie DuboisMon Jun 15 2026Loading...

Jihadist groups JNIM and ISSP have significantly increased their operational presence in northern Benin, with attacks rising by 80% between 2024 and 2025, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. The region is becoming a strategic area for these groups, who are establishing bases and routes for operations. The Sahel Alliance Battalion, consisting of 5,000 troops, is deemed inadequate to counter this escalating threat effectively.

Marie DuboisMon Jun 15 2026Loading...

Armed groups killed 17 farmers in Goron Namaye, Zamfara, Nigeria, in June 2026 while they were working in their fields. At least 13 others were injured in the attack, which occurred during a critical agricultural period. Local authorities are alarmed by the rising violence and its implications for food security, as armed groups increasingly control access to farmland.

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U.S. troops deployed to Nanyuki, Kenya, to assist in constructing an Ebola quarantine facility. The facility aims to house Americans exposed to the disease, amid ongoing protests in Kenya that have resulted in fatalities. The deployment includes logistics and planning support, with no frontline medical care provided by the troops.

Drone strikes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit civilian areas in El-Obeid, North Kordofan, on June 10-11, 2026, resulting in 23 deaths and 19 injuries. The strikes targeted residential neighborhoods, a funeral gathering, and military positions, indicating a shift in tactics towards using drones against civilian infrastructure. This escalation reflects a broader trend of increasing drone warfare in the region, complicating the humanitarian situation.

Marie DuboisSat Jun 13 2026Loading...

On June 6, 2026, the Nigerian Army rescued 360 captives from Boko Haram in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State. The operation, part of the Hadin Kai initiative, highlighted the challenges of operating in difficult terrain, where Boko Haram maintains control over hostages. Despite the rescue, concerns remain about the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram, especially following their earlier kidnapping of 416 individuals in Ngoshe.

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