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JNIM is a Salafi-Jihadist organization. The group’s goals and ideological basis are closely aligned with those of AQIM, and it seeks to build up a Salafi-Islamist state while restoring the caliphate. The merger of various AQ-affiliates into the JNIM was consistent with AQ’s new operational focus on “unity” as a means to fully and effectively implement Shariah law in areas where the jihadists previously had not possessed complete control. In a video announcement, the new JNIM leaders declared their intent to stand united against the Crusader enemy.[24] Ghali has stated that JNIM’s military strategy is to expand its presence over larger territory and train militants against JNIM’s enemies, while preserving relations with local communities.[25]
JNIM has no known political activities.
JNIM has previously targeted the Malian army, UN forces, locations popular with westerners, and French counter-terrorism forces, declared to be JNIM’s historic enemy.[26] The group employs suicide bombings, burns vehicles, holds hostages, and engages in gun battles. The group was responsible for an attack on a resort outside Bamako and strikes on the French embassy and army headquarters in Burkina Faso’s capital. In response to the formation of the G5 Sahel to coordinate regional anti-terror efforts, JNIM launched the first attack on G5 Sahel’s Malian headquarters, in June 2018.[27]
In March 2018, the group released a high-quality video highlighting the extent of its activities, the strength of it training camps, and paying tribute to its leaders.[28] JNIM has also become involved in communal clashes among local ethnic groups. JNIM militants fought on the side of the Fulanis in a conflict with the Bambaras, in central Mali. The group claimed the Malian army supported the Bambaras’s military efforts.[29]
Ghali has publicly announced JNIM’s list of “enemy” countries, which includes countries in the African and American continents and Europe: US, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Niger.[30]
Disclaimer: These are some selected major attacks in the militant organization's history. It is not a comprehensive listing but captures some of the most famous attacks or turning points during the campaign.
March 5, 2017: Days after its founding, JNIM attacked a Boulikessi military base in central Mali, close to the Burkina Faso border. JNIM militants killed 11 Malian soldiers, burned vehicles, and stole arms (11 killed, unknown wounded).[31]
March 2017: JNIM fighters were involved in communal clashes between the Fulanis and Bambaras in central Mali. JNIM attacked Bambara farmers, claiming the group’s militia was backed by the Malian army (unknown casualties).[32]
June 20, 2017: JNIM attacked a resort popular with westerners outside Bamako, Mali, taking hostages. Malian security forces, alongside French and UN forces, rescued the hostages (5 killed, unknown wounded).[33]
March 2, 2018: JNIM claimed responsibility for an attack on the French embassy and Burkinabe army headquarters in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso (8 killed, 80 wounded).[34]
April 14, 2018: JNIM launched a complex, but largely unsuccessful assault on the Timbuktu airport. JNIM sent four suicide car bombs hidden in UN vehicles into the airport and engaged in a gun battle with French and UN soldiers; one UN peacekeeper and at least 15 jihadists were killed (16+ killed, 17 wounded).[35]
June 30, 2018: JNIM claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing of the Malian headquarters of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, an international anti-terror taskforce. Two soldiers and a civilian were killed (4 killed, unknown wounded).[36]
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- Government of United Kingdom: Nov. 1, 2017 to present[37]
JNIM has been involved in communal clashes among local ethnic groups in Mali. The largely pastoral Fulani community has clashed with the Bambaras, a Malian ethnic group, due to rising economic pressures since 2015. Many of the MLF fighters in JNIM are ethnic Fulanis; accordingly, the group fought on the side of the Fulanis in a conflict with the Bambaras group in central Mali. JNIM claimed the Malian army supported the Bambaras’ military efforts.[38]
JNIM formed through the merger of AQIM’s Sahara branch, Al Mourabitoun, Ansar Dine, and the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) into a unified militant alliance under a single emir. In the video announcing the group’s formation, JNIM emir Ghali pledged allegiance to Abdelmalek Droukdel, the emir of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ayman al Zawahiri, the emir of Al Qaeda (AQ), and Mullah Haibatullah, emir of the Afghan Taliban. JNIM reportedly operates under a hierarchical militant structure in which AQIM provides directions, strategic guidance, and resources to the allied militant groups.[39] While conforming to JNIM’s strategy, Al Mourabitoun allegedly remains operationally autonomous from the larger group, under the leadership of Sanhaji.[40]
JNIM purportedly has ideological, operational, and logistical ties with Ansaroul Islam (AI), a U.S. designated terrorist group that has launched multiple attacks in Burkina Faso. JNIM assists and provides training for AI members and allegedly transferred the knowledge for IED attacks to the group.[41]
As an AQ affiliate, JNIM has a strong rivalry with the Islamic State (IS) branches operating in North Africa and the Sahel region. The formation of JNIM coincided with IS’s loss of territory in Iraq and Syria and the weakening of its regional offshoots, indicating AQ’s strategy of taking advantage of IS’s weakness through JNIM.[42] IS’s recruitment of youth militants, particularly from Tunisia and Morocco, in addition to its aggressive use of social media for recruitment and propaganda purposes, challenges the dominance of AQ and its affiliates in North Africa.[43]
JNIM pledged allegiance to AQ emir Zawahiri and AQIM emir Droukdel in March 2017. The group draws much of its strategic direction from AQIM, AQ, and possibly the Taliban, at large.[44]
[1] “Mali: l’attaque contre la base militaire de Boulikessi revendiquée par l’organisation jihadiste d’Iyad Ag Ghali.” Jeune Afrique, 10 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/411287/politique/mali-lattaque-contre-base-....
[2] “Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group claimed attack on Mali HQ of G5 Sahel force.” Africa News, 30 June 2018. Web. 01 July 2018. https://www.africanews.com/2018/06/30/al-qaeda-linked-support-group-clai....
[3] Joscelyn, Thomas. “Analysis: Al Qaeda groups reorganize in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 13 March 2017. Web. 06 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-al-qaeda-groups....
[4] Joscelyn, Thomas. “Analysis: Al Qaeda groups reorganize in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 13 March 2017. Web. 06 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-al-qaeda-groups....
[5] Chivvis, Christopher S. & Andrew Liepman. “North Africa’s Menace: AQIM’s Evolution and the U.S. Policy Response.” RAND Corporation, 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2015. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR415.html.
[6] Nabli, Beligh. “L’unification du djihadisme sahelien.” L’Economiste Maghrebin, 06 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.iris-france.org/90157-lunification-du-djihadisme-sahelien/.
[7] Cristiani, Dario. “Ten Years of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Evolution and Prospects.” Terrorism Monitor, Jamestown Foundation, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/ten-years-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-evoluti....
[8] Cristiani, Dario. “Ten Years of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Evolution and Prospects.” Terrorism Monitor, Jamestown Foundation, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/ten-years-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-evoluti....
[9] Weiss, Caleb. “Analysis: Merger of al Qaeda groups threatens security in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 18 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-merger-of-al-qa.... ; Cristiani, Dario. “Ten Years of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Evolution and Prospects.” Terrorism Monitor, Jamestown Foundation, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/ten-years-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-evoluti....
[10] Taylor, Alan. “Operation Barkhane: France’s Counterterrorism Forces in Africa.” The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/10/operation-barkhane-frances-cou....
[11] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda branch in Mali claims Burkina Faso attacks | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 03 March 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/03/al-qaeda-branch-in-mali-....
[12] “Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group claimed attack on Malia HQ of G5 Sahel force.” Africa News, 30 June 2018. Web. 01 July 2018. https://www.africanews.com/2018/06/30/al-qaeda-linked-support-group-clai....
[13] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda entity involved in communal violence in central Mali | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 27 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/al-qaeda-entity-involved... “Segou: Comment les djihadistes de Kouffa ont tue au moins 10 miliciens Dozo?” Nord Sud Journal, 24 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://malizine.com/2017/03/24/segou-djihadistes-de-kouffa-ont-tue-10-m....
[14] Cristiani, Dario. “Ten Years of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Evolution and Prospects.” Terrorism Monitor, Jamestown Foundation, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/ten-years-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-evoluti....
[15] “Terrorist Designations of Iyad ag Ghali.” U.S. Department of State, 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 July 2018. https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/02/205196.htm.
[16] Weiss, Caleb. “JNIM confirms deaths of co-founder, senior leaders in French raids | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 4 March 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/03/jnim-confirms-deaths-of-....
[17] Weiss, Caleb. “Analysis: Merger of al Qaeda groups threatens security in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 18 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-merger-of-al-qa....
[18] Roggio, Bill. “US adds senior AQIM commander to terrorist list | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 16 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/02/us_adds_aqim_command.php.
[19] Joscelyn, Thomas. “Analysis: Al Qaeda groups reorganize in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 13 March 2017. Web. 06 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-al-qaeda-groups....
[20] “Foreign travel advice: Niger.” GOV.UK, n.d. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/niger.
[21] Laub, Zachary and Jonathan Masters. “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).” Council on Foreign Relations, 27 March 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb.
[22] “Foreign travel advice: Senegal.” GOV.UK, n.d. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/senegal#:~:text=Most%20visits%2.... ; “The Surprising Suspects behind an Islamist Ambush.” Stratfor Worldview, 18 Oct. 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/surprising-suspects-behind-islami....
[23] Makadji, Mamadou. “Mali: Mali: Le chef de Nusrat al-Islam dresse une liste de 11 pays ‘ennemis.’” Maliactu, 15 April 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://maliactu.net/mali-mali-le-chef-de-nusrat-al-islam-dresse-une-lis....
[24] Joscelyn, Thomas. “Analysis: Al Qaeda groups reorganize in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 13 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-al-qaeda-groups....
[25] Makadji, Mamadou. “Mali: Mali: Le chef de Nusrat al-Islam dresse une liste de 11 pays ‘ennemis.’” Maliactu, 15 April 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://maliactu.net/mali-mali-le-chef-de-nusrat-al-islam-dresse-une-lis....
[26] Maiga, Ibrahim and William Assanvo. “Mali’s jihadist merger: desperate or dangerous?” Institute for Security Studies, 03 April 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/malis-jihadist-merger-desperate-or-dange....
[27] “Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group claimed attack on Malia HQ of G5 Sahel force.” Africa News, 30 June 2018. Web. 01 July 2018. https://www.africanews.com/2018/06/30/al-qaeda-linked-support-group-clai....
[28] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda group JNIM releases high-level production video | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 21 March 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/03/al-qaeda-group-jnim-rele....
[29] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda entity involved in communal violence in central Mali | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 27 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/al-qaeda-entity-involved....
[30] “Mali: Mali: Le chef de Nusrat al-Islam dresse une liste de 11 pays ‘ennemis.’” Maliactu, 15 April 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://maliactu.net/mali-mali-le-chef-de-nusrat-al-islam-dresse-une-lis...énégal%2C%20Niger).
[31] “Mali: l’attaque contre la base militaire de Boulikessi revendiquée par l’organisation jihadiste d’Iyad Ag Ghali.” Jeune Afrique, 10 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/411287/politique/mali-lattaque-contre-base-....
[32] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda entity involved in communal violence in central Mali | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 27 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/al-qaeda-entity-involved... “Segou: Comment les djihadistes de Kouffa ont tue au moins 10 miliciens Dozo?” Nord Sud Journal, 24 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://malizine.com/2017/03/24/segou-djihadistes-de-kouffa-ont-tue-10-m....
[33] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda group claims assault near Mali capital | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 20 June 2017. Web. 12 July 2018; Sangare, Idrissa and Adama Diarra. “Al Qaeda-linked group claims deadly attack at Mali resort.” Reuters, 18 July 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.africanews.com/2018/06/30/al-qaeda-linked-support-group-clai....
[34] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda branch in Mali claims Burkina Faso attacks | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 03 March 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/03/al-qaeda-branch-in-mali-....
[35] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda’s JNIM claims suicide assault in Timbuktu | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 20 April 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/04/al-qaedas-jnim-claims-su....
[36] “Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group claimed attack on Malia HQ of G5 Sahel force.” Africa News, 30 June 2018. Web. 01 July 2018. https://www.africanews.com/2018/06/30/al-qaeda-linked-support-group-clai....
[37] “Foreign travel advice: Niger.” GOV.UK, n.d. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/niger.
[38] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda entity involved in communal violence in central Mali | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 27 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/al-qaeda-entity-involved....
[39] Weiss, Caleb. “Al Qaeda maintains operational tempo in West Africa in 2017 | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 05 Jan. 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/01/al-qaeda-maintains-opera.... ; Waszkewitz, Hauke. “Jihadism’s staying power in North Africa.” Global Risk Insights, 20 March 2018. Web. 13 July 2018. https://globalriskinsights.com/2018/03/aqim-staying-power-north-africa-a....
[40] Weiss, Caleb. “Analysis: Merger of al Qaeda groups threatens security in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 18 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-merger-of-al-qa....
[41] Weiss, Caleb. “State Department designates Burkinabe jihadist group Ansaroul Islam | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 20 Feb. 2018. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/02/state-department-adds-bu....
[42] Cristiani, Dario. “Ten Years of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Evolution and Prospects.” Terrorism Monitor, Jamestown Foundation, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/ten-years-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-evoluti....
[43] Cristiani, Dario. “Ten Years of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Evolution and Prospects.” Terrorism Monitor, Jamestown Foundation, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/ten-years-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-evoluti....
[44] Joscelyn, Thomas. “Analysis: Al Qaeda groups reorganize in West Africa | The Long War Journal.” The Long War Journal, 13 March 2017. Web. 12 July 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-al-qaeda-groups....