North Africa’s Security

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Sahel: Russia Reorganizes in Mali: Wagner Withdraws, Africa Corps Moves In

Sahel: Russia Reorganizes in Mali: Wagner Withdraws, Africa Corps Moves In

Russia has replaced the Wagner Group in Mali with its new Africa Corps, signaling a shift toward a more controlled and official military presence focused on training and intelligence. While the tactics may look different, Moscow’s long-term ambitions in the region remain very much the same—just better dressed.

SECURITY & DEFENSE

Sahel: Mali acquires lethal drones from Turkey

On January 4, 2024, the Malian military acquired six Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones. The military authorities say the drones will be used to “surveil the national territory, detect suspicious targets, track them and strike them, if necessary, with surgical precision.” ...

Tunisia neutralizes human smugglers

The Tunisian police reported on January 7, 2024 the dismantling of an alleged human trafficking network in the Sfax region. Authorities say the gang facilitated the illegal movement in and out of the Tunisian territory of sub-Saharan migrants. The operation consisted...

Libya releases four Hamas members held since 2016

Libyan authorities on Friday released four members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas who were arrested in 2016 on charges including trafficking arms to Gaza, according to Libyan media. The four men -- Marwan al-Ashqar, his son Baraa, Mouayad Abed and Nasib...

Niger ditches security arrangements with EU, engages more with Russia

Niger's military leaders said Monday that they were ending two European Union security and defence missions in the country, after earlier in the day agreeing to strengthen military cooperation with Russia.  The Nigerien foreign ministry said that it was ending the...

INSURGENCIES & TERRORISM

Sahel: Intense fight in northern Burkina Faso claims dozens of lives

At least 51 soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected jihadists in northern Burkina Faso, the army said on Monday, adding that 160 of the assailants died during counter-attacks. The ambush took place on Friday in Oudalan province near the restive frontier with...

Africa security: Gulf of Guinea facing growing threat of instability

Criminals in northern Ghana tried to blow up a bridge using explosives for the first time in a region where the government fears growing violent spillover from a jihadist war across the border in Burkina Faso, a top official said. Ghana along with Gulf of Guinea...

Burkina Faso: New terror attack in Sahel province kills 18 people

At least 18 people have been killed in two attacks in Burkina Faso, sources briefed on the incidents told AFP on Sunday, as violence rages in the Sahel nation. The country faces a jihadist insurgency that swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015, with thousands of...

How the insurgents are expanding the Jihadist frontline to West Africa

By Patrick Markey and Kent Mensha: Standing near the dried river bed that marks Ghana's northern border, Alima can see her hamlet, lying in Burkina Faso less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) away. Even though her home is just a short walk away, she says she will never...

Mali: New terror attack kills two in the Segou region

A policeman and a civilian were killed and seven were wounded in an attack in jihadist-torn eastern Mali, officials said Wednesday. The attack occurred Tuesday evening at a checkpoint in San, a town some 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Bamako and about...

Sahel: Doctor working for WHO in Mali abducted

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that one of its doctors had been abducted in Mali, adding that the motivation behind an attack on his car was unclear. "We deplore the abduction of WHO colleague Dr Mahamadou Diawara, who was taken by unidentified assailants...

Sahel: Jihadist violence intensifies in Burkina Faso

Attacks in Burkina Faso have increased since October and now especially target civilians, according to junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, who took power last year on a vow to quell jihadist violence. The extremists are switching tactics to focus on civilians, Traore...

Sahel: Jihadists in Burkina Faso also abduct children and babies

Investigators now believe that last week's raid by suspected jihadists in Burkina Faso led to the abduction of around 60 women, girls and babies, a regional prosecutor said Thursday. Earlier reports had suggested that around 50 women had been taken, said a statement...

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Sahel: Russia Reorganizes in Mali: Wagner Withdraws, Africa Corps Moves In
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