Trump considers raids against jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda in Mali

The Trump Administration is considering launching military operations in Mali against the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (Jnim), affiliated with al-Qaeda and today considered the most dangerous armed formation in the Sahel. This was revealed by the Washington Post, citing current and former US officials familiar with the discussions.

According to the sources, a decision has not yet been made within the Administration and disagreements remain on whether to authorize the raids. Among the main supporters of the military option is the director of counterterrorism, Sebastian Gorka.

If approved, the operation would make Mali the eighth country hit by attacks ordered by Trump since the beginning of his second term, after Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela.

When asked by the newspaper, the White House did not confirm the military plans, merely reiterating that Washington is encouraging governments in North and West Africa to purchase US military equipment and services to strengthen the fight against terrorism. One official called terrorism in the Sahel “a multinational problem” and called on regional partners and NATO allies to support the Alliance of Sahel states – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – in the war against Jnim and the Islamic State.

However, the same sources attribute the failure of the security strategy in Mali to Russia, arguing that Moscow “has proven to be an ineffective partner” in the fight against jihadist groups. After the military coups, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have in fact interrupted much of the cooperation with the West, relying on the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner group, later replaced by the Africa Corps, linked to the Russian Ministry of Defense.