Sahel jihadist attacks surge to record levels as al-Qaeda and IS affiliates intensify offensives
Violent incidents by al-Qaeda and Islamic State linked groups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have risen sharply, with over 2,000 events recorded so far this year.
ACLED’s conflict database indicates a dramatic escalation of jihadist violence in the Sahel, with incidents climbing from 63 in 2016 to 2,845 in 2025 and more than 2,000 already recorded this year, suggesting an annual total above 3,000 if trends continue. The UN counted more than 9,000 fatalities from security incidents in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in 2025, making the region one of the world’s deadliest for terrorism.
In April, JNIM and the Azawad one outlet Front launched a coordinated assault in Mali, killing the defence minister, the head of military intelligence, and forcing Russian mercenaries to surrender in Kidal. JNIM has claimed over 130 attacks in Burkina Faso in 2026, moving closer to the capital, while IS-linked militants remain more active in Niger. Analysts note that al-Qaeda affiliates now focus on local objectives rather than external operations, and that other groups such as al-Shabaab continue to cause high casualties in East Africa.
Why it matters
The surge in Sahel jihadist attacks threatens regional stability and could have wider security repercussions.
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