US mulls strikes against jihadist groups in Mali amid Africa Corps struggles
The Trump administration is weighing the possibility of launching military strikes against the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al Qaeda-affiliated organization operating in Mali. This potential shift comes as security conditions in the Sahel continue to deteriorate and Malian forces, backed by Russia’s Africa Corps, struggle to regain control over armed groups.
Washington considers direct intervention against JNIM
The United States may soon redeploy military assets in Mali. According to multiple high-ranking current and former US officials, the Trump administration is exploring options to authorize targeted strikes against the JNIM, which has emerged as one of the most active jihadist factions in the Sahel. While discussions remain confidential, some officials, including Sebastian Gorka, the White House’s top counterterrorism advisor, have advocated for military action.
A US official, when asked for comment, neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of strikes but emphasized Washington’s push for West African and North African governments to invest in US military equipment and services to bolster their counterterrorism efforts. The same official described Sahel-based terrorism as a “multinational challenge,” urging regional partners and NATO allies to support the Sahel States Alliance in its fight against JNIM and the Islamic State.
The official also criticized Russia’s role in Mali’s security crisis, stating that Moscow had proven to be an “ineffective security partner,” contributing to the country’s worsening instability. The Pentagon declined to comment on these reports, while the State Department reiterated its strong condemnation of terrorist activities in Mali. Since 2018, the US has officially designated the JNIM as a foreign terrorist organization.
Russia’s Africa Corps faces mounting setbacks in Mali
This potential US intervention follows a period of escalating military challenges in Mali. Over recent months, the JNIM has intensified attacks against Malian forces, sometimes in coordination with the Liberation Front of Azawad (FLA). In April, one of the most significant offensives in years targeted Malian authorities, resulting in the loss of key positions in the country’s northern regions.
In response, Russia’s Africa Corps—the official successor to the Wagner Group in Mali—has adjusted its operational strategy. Analysts note that Russian forces are now prioritizing the protection of Bamako, critical infrastructure, and government officials, while significantly reducing their presence in certain northern areas. This shift follows a series of setbacks suffered by Malian troops and their Russian allies against JNIM and the FLA.
Independent assessments suggest that despite substantial military investment, the objectives set by Bamako and Moscow have yet to materialize. Adding to the challenges, accusations of human rights abuses involving Malian soldiers and Africa Corps members have surfaced, with reports citing violence against civilians in the Timbuktu region. Malian authorities have not addressed these allegations.
The potential US military involvement would mark a significant change in Washington’s Sahel strategy. After years of gradual withdrawal of Western forces from the region and Mali’s pivot toward Russia, the US appears to be reconsidering a more direct role in combating jihadist groups. At this stage, no final decision has been made, and internal discussions within the Trump administration are ongoing.