US President Donald Trump’s administration is considering a military operation in the West African nation of Mali. The US could launch an attack against Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group operating in the country. This information was reported by the US newspaper The Washington Post.
If this plan is approved, Mali would become the eighth country where the US has launched a military strike since Trump assumed office.
Mali is a Muslim-majority country in West Africa, with approximately 95 percent of its population practicing Islam. Its capital, Bamako, and the historic city of Timbuktu are ancient centers of Islamic learning and culture.
Since its emergence in 2017, JNIM has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks, kidnappings, and acts of terrorism. This Al-Qaeda-allied group has recently intensified its attacks across various West African nations.
Last month, the group carried out a deadly attack at an airport in the capital of Niger. The report also notes that they are sowing terror within Mali through fuel blockades, the siege of various areas, and acts of violence.
New Military Plan Amidst the Image of a ‘Peace President’
Although Trump projects himself as a “Peace President” and advocates a policy of “peace through strength,” The Washington Post reports that his administration is currently considering military action in Mali, even amidst the ongoing, long-standing conflict with Iran.
If the attack is authorized, Mali will be added to the list of countries where the US has conducted military operations.
Previously, the Trump administration has ordered strikes in Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Additionally, the report claims that more than 200 people have been killed during naval operations targeting drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific.
Why is Mali Important?
Mali is one of Africa’s largest gold-producing nations. Furthermore, the country possesses vast lithium reserves, making it a focal point of interest for foreign companies. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are currently members of the Alliance of Sahel States, a bloc governed by military regimes.
Following the ousting of elected governments via military coups, these nations have scaled back ties with Western countries and turned toward Russia for security cooperation.
Who supports military action?
According to reports, officials within the Trump administration advocating for strikes against JNIM in Mali include Sebastian Gorka, the Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council and Deputy Assistant to the President.
However, the White House has not officially confirmed that the President is considering authorizing military action.
A White House official told The Independent that the US wants Sahel nations to succeed in the fight against terrorism. However, the official blamed Russia for Mali’s deteriorating security situation, stating that Russia has not proven effective as a security partner.
The official added that other African nations should also learn from Russia’s failure to combat terrorism.
US Call to Action
The Trump administration has urged nations within the Sahel alliance and other coastal West African states to purchase US military equipment and services for counterterrorism efforts.
Simultaneously, Washington has called on NATO and regional allies to step forward and assist Mali.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that JNIM has carried out multiple attacks this year in areas including Bamako. The reports also claim that the country’s Defense Minister was killed in a suicide attack. This month, JNIM engaged in days of clashes with the Malian army and Russian “Africa Corps” forces; during the fighting, the group shot down a military helicopter and forcibly displaced residents from a village.
Last week, JNIM ambushed a joint military convoy, forcing Africa Corps members to retreat and abandon many Malian soldiers, many of whom were subsequently captured and killed by the militants.
Human Rights Situation
According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), at least 232 civilians were killed last year in attacks by JNIM and other militant groups. Meanwhile, an ACLED report notes that 925 civilians have been killed during operations conducted by the Malian army and Russian mercenary forces.
Questions Regarding Strategy
Last year, the Trump administration initiated efforts to enhance intelligence sharing and military cooperation with the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The objective was to increase U.S. access to Africa’s mineral resources and counter the influence of Russia and China.
However, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of this strategy.
Wassim Nasr, a senior researcher at the Soufan Center, told The Washington Post that opting for a military solution once again would not resolve the problem. France pursued this strategy for ten years, and Russia has been attempting the same for five years; yet, the situation has only deteriorated.
