Sub-Saharan Africa (mostly Sahel) | Terrorism | Conflict | Opinions are my ownhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lik4aff2ic27🚨New Publication Alert 🇨🇩🇩🇯🇰🇪🇸🇩🇲🇱🇨🇫 My latest substack looks at the conflict in DRC, the AU’s new leadership, violence in Mali’s north and threats to the junta, the RSF’s attempts to remain a lasting force in Sudan, and Russian crimes in CAR. https://open.substack.com/pub/theafricainsight/p/the-sub-saharan-security-review-e1e?r=4p6jso&utm_medium=ios19 Feb 2025 15:38 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lik4aff2ic27https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lidfkfibts2i🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: The attack took place in Dargo, not Kaya. Reports state that two VDP and one soldier were killed, but seven were wounded. The attack began at dawn and lasted three hours, reinforcements arrived two hours after JNIM militants had left. Footage below: [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Feb 2025 23:36 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lidfkfibts2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lica2bt3b22f🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: A VDP base was taken control of near Ouahigouya, #JNIM has claimed.16 Feb 2025 12:25 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lica2bt3b22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lic7vpszfk2f🇳🇪| #Niger: The Islamic State’s West Africa Province (#ISWAP) has claimed an attack on a military position in Diffa.16 Feb 2025 12:22 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lic7vpszfk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lic7uubghk2f🇳🇬| #Nigeria: A ‘militiaman’ was executed in the countryside outside of Maiduguri, #ISWAP has reported.16 Feb 2025 12:22 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lic7uubghk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lic7qu5fc22f🇲🇱| #Mali: A number of FAMa / Wagner troops were killed after two military vehicles were completely destroyed by IEDs, #JNIM has claimed. Images of the aftermath below:16 Feb 2025 12:20 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lic7qu5fc22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lic7m3kehc2f🇧🇯| #Benin: A military base was overran near Karimama, located close to the border with Niger, #JNIM has reported.16 Feb 2025 12:17 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lic7m3kehc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lic7ip5enc2f🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Several security personnel, both soldiers and VDP, were killed near Kaya. #JNIM militants also reportedly seized a significant haul of weapons and ammo, including 46 kalashnikovs, a drone, 103 magazines, and other pieces of military equipment.16 Feb 2025 12:15 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lic7ip5enc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhyqushsfc2vNew publication: 🇧🇫🇿🇦🇺🇸🇸🇩🇸🇴 My latest substack looks at JNIM’s siege of Djibo, Trump’s reaction to a South African land law, footage of IS Sahel, plus updates from the conflict in Sudan and the battle against IS in Puntland. https://open.substack.com/pub/theafricainsight/p/the-sub-saharan-security-review-a3f?r=4p6jso&utm_medium=ios12 Feb 2025 17:59 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhyqushsfc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhyq2pxaik2v🇲🇱| #Mali: A #FAMa / Wagner vehicle was attacked with an IED in Mopti region, #JNIM has claimed today.12 Feb 2025 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhyq2pxaik2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhypvatozc2v🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Two VDP bases were targeted near Bam, #JNIM claimed last night. Two militiamen were killed and weapons and motorcycles were seized.12 Feb 2025 17:42 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhypvatozc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhwydu5inc2z🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Two military checkpoints were taken control of in Kongoussi, #JNIM claimed earlier today.12 Feb 2025 01:08 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhwydu5inc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhwyc4u3kc2z🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Weapons and ammo were seized during this attack in Djibo, #JNIM has claimed. No reports of casualties, however. [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Feb 2025 01:07 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhwyc4u3kc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhwyam6nns2z🇲🇱| #Mali: Following claims earlier today that a military helicopter was downed by the FLA near Tessalit, #FAMa has reported that this morning a drone was intercepted while flying over Tessalit airport. It was allegedly observing a helicopter at the base, which was not damaged.12 Feb 2025 01:06 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhwyam6nns2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhvk6sthy22s🇲🇱| #Mali: It is being widely reported by Tuareg accounts that a #FAMa helicopter, likely operated by Russian forces, was shot down by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) near Tessalit. No visual confirmation at this time.11 Feb 2025 11:22 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhvk6sthy22shttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhublbauac2gThe Islamic State (#IS) has released over 20 minutes of footage focussed entirely on its #Sahel province. As is to be expected with IS media publications, the video was powerful, well-produced, and at times quite graphic. Below is a snippet, as well as some initial thoughts.10 Feb 2025 23:15 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhublbauac2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhsun555m22z🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: A military post near Banfora was taken control of, #JNIM has claimed.10 Feb 2025 09:51 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhsun555m22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhsuexcig22z🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: Military positions around #Djibo have been attacked this morning, #JNIM has claimed. This is the third attack of its type in as many weeks, the AQ affiliate are ramping up the pressure on the besieged city.10 Feb 2025 09:46 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhsuexcig22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhqzqhdxwc23🇳🇪| #Niger: The military suffered losses after being targeted by two IEDs near Samira and between Torodi and Niakatiré, #JNIM has claimed.09 Feb 2025 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhqzqhdxwc23https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhp3us5gxk2f🇲🇱| #Mali: The military has claimed that 25 civilians were killed and 13 were injured in this attack. It has also been reported that 19 of the attackers were found dead. Contrary to reports that the security escort fled, #FAMa has alleged that it repelled the terrorists. [contains quote post or other embedded content]08 Feb 2025 21:50 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhp3us5gxk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhoxvqhtyc2f🇲🇱| #Mali: Footage of #Wagner troops searching and looting a civilian property, allegedly taken in the Gao region.08 Feb 2025 20:39 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhoxvqhtyc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhosngbfbs2u🇲🇱| #Mali: A #Wagner patrol was targeted with an IED between Bandiagara and Bankass, #JNIM has claimed today.08 Feb 2025 19:04 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhosngbfbs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmp63zev224🇲🇱| #Mali: An IED attack targeting a FAMa / Wagner armoured vehicle in Koulikoro has been claimed by #JNIM.07 Feb 2025 22:57 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmp63zev224https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmp57o4ns24🇳🇪| #Niger: The military was targeted with an IED on the outskirts of Samira, #JNIM has claimed.07 Feb 2025 22:56 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmp57o4ns24https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmp3sewn224🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: An armoured vehicle was destroyed after it hit an IED near Ouahigouya, #JNIM has reported.07 Feb 2025 22:56 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmp3sewn224https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmozz7jmk24🧵| The Islamic State’s weekly al-Naba was released yesterday, the thread below reports on its editorial, as well as its claims in #Africa.07 Feb 2025 22:55 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmozz7jmk24https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmotshh5s24It is highly likely that #IS-Sahel were behind this attack, although this has yet to be confirmed. I have seen several reports suggest that over 40 civilians were killed. [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Feb 2025 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmotshh5s24https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmosq4n2c24🇸🇴| #Somalia: Over 70 Puntland security personnel, including commanders, have been killed in clashes over the past several days, #IS has claimed today in a lengthy statement. The group has also admitted to sustaining losses.07 Feb 2025 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmosq4n2c24https://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhmdz4rvbs2y🇲🇱| #Mali: A supply convoy travelling with a military escort was reportedly attacked by jihadists near Kobe, along the Ansongo-Gao axis. Five vehicles were purportedly destroyed, there also have been reports of civilian casualties.07 Feb 2025 19:37 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmdz4rvbs2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliewerb.bsky.social/post/3lhlw3qe32c2p🇧🇫| #BurkinaFaso: An armoured vehicle was destroyed after it hit an IED near Ouahigouya, #JNIM has reported.07 Feb 2025 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:bcjpbpm6qsbcu2p4tmwpssjv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhlw3qe32c2p