The Tactics Institute for Security and Defense urgently calls for immediate international intervention to address the growing threat posed by the Islamic State-Sahel Province (IS Sahel) in the Sahel region of Africa. This violent extremist group is rapidly gaining territory and consolidating its power amidst a deteriorating security situation following the withdrawal of Western military forces and the rise of military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Since the withdrawal of French and American troops, IS Sahel has capitalized on the security vacuum left behind, expanding its influence across the region. The group has taken advantage of the withdrawal of al-Qaida-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) from key territories along the Mali-Niger border, further deepening the instability.
The rise of military juntas, backed by Russian mercenaries, has further complicated efforts to stabilize the region. These mercenaries, while touted as a solution, have proven insufficient in filling the critical security gap.
The spread of IS Sahel’s control poses significant risks to regional peace and global security. The group’s increasing territorial control, and its control over critical infrastructure, such as roads and supply chains, gives it the ability to regulate trade and extort taxes. Its involvement in illegal activities, including gold mining and smuggling, as well as its efforts to position itself as a provider of services and stability, further destabilizes the region.
IS Sahel’s manipulation of local economies, its efforts to gain legitimacy through actions like returning stolen livestock and rebuilding infrastructure, and its enforcement of strict punishments on local criminals are all part of a broader strategy aimed at winning the support of local populations. This presents a dangerous precedent, as the group shifts from violence to economic control, positioning itself as a legitimate alternative to the state.
The Tactics Institute calls for the immediate cessation of all actions that enable the expansion of IS Sahel’s influence. The Tactics Institute for Security and Defense calls on all international stakeholders to unite to prevent the further expansion of IS Sahel’s control over the Sahel region. We demand immediate action to restore stability, uphold international humanitarian law, and protect the fundamental rights of all affected communities.
