Al-Qaida and IS-linked violence in Africa’s Sahel belt set to hit record levels this year
New data from the conflict monitor ACLED indicates that Islamist extremist violence in the Sahel region of Africa is reaching record levels. The report highlights a sharp increase in incidents linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Why it matters
The surge in violence suggests a significant shift in the global landscape of terrorism, moving away from traditional hubs toward the Sahel.
Three armed al-Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2008 – the al-Qaida-linked group is one of Africa’s deadliest. Three armed al-Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2008 – the al-Qaida-linked group is one of Africa’s deadliest. Africa Al-Qaida and IS-linked violence in Africa’s Sahel belt set to hit record levels this year Twenty-five years after 9/11, figures compiled by conflict monitor underline how Sahel region has become centre of Islamist terror
Prefer the Guardian on Google Islamist extremist violence in Africa’s Sahel region is set to reach historic highs after a series of sweeping offensives by groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State, according to new figures compiled by the conflict monitor Acled .
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