Jan 6, 2026

Irregular Migration to Spain Falls Sharply in 2025 With Decline in Atlantic Crossings$

Analysis by The North Africa Journal

Irregular migration to Spain declined significantly in 2025 following a record year in 2024, according to official figures. The drop was driven primarily by a sharp reduction in sea crossings to the Canary Islands, long one of Europe’s most dangerous migration routes. Enhanced maritime surveillance and expanded cooperation between Spain, the European Union, and key departure countries in West and North Africa played a central role in reducing Atlantic crossings. At the same time, arrivals to Spain did not disappear but shifted geographically, with increased landings reported in the Balearic Islands via the western Mediterranean. The figures highlight how enforcement measures can reshape migration patterns while leaving underlying pressures and humanitarian risks largely unchanged.

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إيران -هدنة هشة بعد «غضب ملحمي»: وقف نار قصير يكشف وهم الحرب الخاطفة على إيران$

by The North Africa Journal | Apr 9, 2026 | 1PREMIUM, Arabic

هدنة هشة بعد أكثر من ستة أسابيع من الحرب تكشف اتساع الفجوة بين الوعود التي سُوِّقت في واشنطن عن حرب خاطفة على إيران وبين واقع صراع معقد استنزف القدرات العسكرية وعمّق أزمة الطاقة العالمية فيما بقيت مراكز القرار في طهران صامدة.

Mali: Russian-linked Forces Under Drone Pressure in Northern Mali$

by The North Africa Journal | Apr 9, 2026 | 1-BLUE-LEFT-SECTION-Special-Focus-Free, Security & Defense, Mali, 1shorts, Sahel, Terrorism, Security, Shield and Alert: Sahel, 1PREMIUM, Briefs

Armed groups in northern Mali are shifting toward repeatable FPV drone strikes against Malian army and Russian-linked Africa Corps positions. Recent attacks in Anéfis and Aguelhok indicate a tactical evolution that challenges the assumption of operational sanctuary in the Kidal region.

Niger Turns to Local Self-Defense Units to Contain Growing Insecurity$

by The North Africa Journal | Apr 9, 2026 | security upfront, Briefs, Shield and Alert: Sahel, Security & Defense, 1PREMIUM, Niger, 1-BLUE-LEFT-SECTION-Special-Focus-Free, 1shorts, Sahel, Terrorism, Security

Niger has formalized local self-defense units known as Domol Leydi as violence intensifies across its borders, reflecting a shift toward community-based security in response to expanding militant activity and limited state reach.

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