Jihadist Violence in Africa's Sahel Region Reaches Record Levels

According to new data compiled by the conflict monitoring organization Acled, Islamist extremist violence conducted by groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS in Africa's Sahel region is on track to reach record levels this year. This increase, covering Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, is deepening the regional security crisis.

Rising Violence Data in the Sahel Region

Statistics compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (Acled) focus on the countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Violence related to jihadist groups in these countries rose from 63 incidents in 2016 to 2,845 in 2025. With 2,145 incidents recorded so far this year, the annual total is likely to exceed 3,000.

Joint Offensives and Casualties in Mali

In Mali, a joint offensive launched by the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Tuareg-dominated Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development has targeted strategic towns, government forces, and Russian auxiliary forces. Mali's defense minister and head of military intelligence were killed in the attacks, and insurgents seized control of Kidal.

Activities in Burkina Faso and Niger

The JNIM organization is also active in Burkina Faso, having claimed responsibility for over 130 attacks in 2026. In Niger, it operates alongside Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The global peace index reported that more than 9,000 deaths occurred due to security incidents across these three countries throughout 2025.

Regional Focus and Global Leadership

Experts note that JNIM and other regional groups have largely moved away from historical ambitions to strike the US and Europe, focusing instead on localized regional control. Global al-Qaeda leadership has remained decentralized or marginal following the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2022, with Saif al-Adel believed to be the de facto leader.