US Considers Military Intervention in Mali Against Al-Qaeda Affiliated Group

Washington Examines Possible Action to Counter JNIM

The Trump administration is weighing the possibility of launching a military operation against the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (JNIM), a militant group affiliated with Al-Qaïda and active in Mali, according to several US officials.

While some officials within the administration support this course of action, others are skeptical about its feasibility, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

One key proponent of military intervention is Sebastian Gorka, a senior adviser at the National Security Council who has long argued that a tough stance against terrorism is necessary to prevent further attacks.

A US official declined to confirm or deny reports of planned strikes against JNIM but acknowledged that Washington was encouraging African countries to acquire more military equipment and training from the United States in order to bolster their counter-terrorism efforts.

The same official described the growing threat of terrorism in the Sahel region as a global challenge, calling on regional partners and NATO allies to support the Alliance for Peaceful Cohesion in Africa (AESA), an anti-jihadist alliance launched by West African leaders last year.

He also criticized Russia’s security cooperation with Mali, saying it had been ineffective in combating terrorism and that other countries should take note of its shortcomings.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the reports, while the State Department reiterated its condemnation of terrorist activities in Mali without elaborating further.

JNIM has been listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States since 2018, following its establishment by former Al-Qaïda fighters in northern Mali.