Faced with a surge of Islamist insurgency and increased boldness, the Defense Ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger met on November 7 in Niamey to accelerate the joint military structure of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a 6,000-man initiative that has been promised multiple times. No official deployment date was communicated after the closed meeting. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger’s “transition,” presided. The three states reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts in command, intelligence sharing, and tactical operations. Although scheduled long ago, the urgency of this meeting is underscored by the inability of conventional armies to stop the encirclement and economic stranglehold of cities. The main focus remains Mali, yet the other two partners also face an identical strategy of suffocation.
Foreign nationals leaving
In France, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is urging French nationals in Mali—about 4,000 people, mostly dual citizens—to leave the country “temporarily” as soon as possible. They are encouraged to use available commercial flights due to the worsening situation, though Paris advises against leaving by land. Travel to Mali remains “strongly discouraged” due to expanding risk zones. The ministry highlighted Russia’s failure to protect Malian security.
The previous notice, dated November 4, recommended “increased vigilance in their travel and daily activities” but did not instruct an urgent evacuation. Yet, recent restrictions on electricity, fuel, and attacks had appeared stable. This sudden warning may stem from grave undisclosed information. Notably, France may be the last Western power to issue such a warning, following similar alerts from the United States, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Australia.
The French warning supports the recent hesitancy of two major shipping multinationals—Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement – Compagnie Générale Maritime (CMA CGM)—to continue sending cargo to Mali. MSC, as of November 6, announced its decision with “immediate effect.” CMA CGM, on the same day, reached a temporary agreement with Bamako authorities after negotiations, and reversed its earlier November 4 announcement to temporarily suspend services to Mali.
Fratricidal battles
Local witnesses—whose claims remain unverified by independent observers—reported attacks on November 7 by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), targeting separately the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM-Al Qaeda), Malian armed forces (FAMA), and Burkina Faso’s forces (FAB). In Burkina Faso, the operation was in Tsmakkat, near Gorom-Gorom, Oudalan Province, Liptako region (Northeast). Neither of the rival coalitions claimed the fighting.
In Mali, another fratricidal battle reportedly occurred in the Gao region, but details are scant. Sources close to the government describe an early morning jihadist raid against FAMA in Labzanga, Ouattagouna district, near the Niger border—one of the EIS strongholds. The attempt was repelled. A similar ambush allegedly targeted the Touareg Imghad Self-Defense Group and Allies (GATIA)—a central government militia dissolved on October 30, 2025, after its members repeatedly defected to the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).
EIS, heavily challenged by GSIM, struggles to advance west and south beyond Menaka. Its presence in Burkina Faso remains limited by comparison, but it is firmly established in Niger, especially deep in Tillabéri region.
On November 6, FAMA conducted morning airstrikes on “terrorist positions”—meaning GSIM—around Donièna, Kouen, and Bessina, Kolondiéba district, Bougouni region, supporting a convoy of fuel tankers. The army stated it will continue efforts “to ensure the country’s fuel supply.”
In Burkina Faso on November 6, GSIM published images of loot captured during 48 hours of raids in rural northern areas. The assailants claim to have killed soldiers and their auxiliaries, Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). The haul includes light and medium weapons, rocket launchers, magazines, ammunition, motorcycles, communications devices, and a pickup truck.
