The Sahel region has seen a surge in extremist violence over the past year, resulting in thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and growing instability. Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) have intensified attacks, targeting civilians, security forces, and government structures across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three countries now under military rule following coups that promised increased security.
In recent weeks, violence in the Sahel has reached alarming levels. Last week, Islamic militants launched an attack on Bamako, the capital of Mali, for the first time in nearly a decade. The attack targeted a military training school and the city’s main airport. While the Malian army confirmed it had suffered losses, the exact number of casualties remains undisclosed.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso experienced one of the deadliest attacks in its recent history last month when al-Qaeda-linked jihadists killed at least 100 villagers and soldiers in a single weekend attack in central Burkina Faso. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), these groups have increasingly targeted civilians, often engaging in door-to-door killings, throat-slitting, and attacks on Christian groups.
HRW’s recent report documented the killing of at least 128 civilians in seven attacks by Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso since February 2024. These attacks violated international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes, the report stated. One particularly brutal attack occurred in the northeastern village of Essakane in February, where 12 church worshippers were killed, allegedly in retaliation for refusing to abandon their religion.
The security situation in the Sahel has worsened dramatically since military juntas seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger over the past two years. Despite pledges to enhance security, attacks by Islamist insurgents have surged, with over 3,000 civilians killed in the first half of this year alone, representing a 25% increase compared to the previous six months. These extremist groups, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), have exploited the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of French and American military forces.
In response, Burkina Faso’s junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré recruited thousands of volunteer army auxiliaries and forced civilians to dig defensive trenches around security outposts and villages. Despite these efforts, extremist violence has continued to escalate, with an estimated 26,000 people, including civilians and security forces, killed since 2016.
The rise in extremist violence has led to a humanitarian crisis in the Sahel. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, with many fleeing attacks on their villages. Humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations, have warned of deteriorating conditions, as insecurity hampers aid delivery to affected populations.
Expanded Coverage:
