•Who: Al-Qa‘ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Founded: Mid‑2000s, evolved from Algeria’s GSPC
Region they operate: Algeria, the Sahel, and parts of North and West Africa
Allies and enemies: Works with Sahel jihadists; fights regional governments and French/Western forces
•Who: ISIS‑Libya (ISIS‑L)
Founded: Mid‑2010s amid Libya’s civil war
Region they operate: Coastal Libyan cities and desert interior pockets
Allies and enemies: ISIS affiliate; clashes with Libya’s rival governments, militias, and foreign backers
•Who: ISIS‑Sahel
Founded: Late 2010s from splinter factions in Mali–Niger region
Region they operate: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso border areas
Allies and enemies: ISIS‑aligned; fights JNIM, Sahel states, and foreign military missions
•ISSP/ISGS refers to the Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP), formerly known as Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS).
Origins and Structure
Formed in 2015 from a split in al-Mourabitoun when leader Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi pledged allegiance to ISIS, it gained formal province status in 2022, separating from ISIS West Africa Province (ISWAP). Led by a shura council under governor Abu al-Bara’ al-Sahrawi, it includes offices for military operations, logistics, law enforcement, and foreign fighters.
Operations
Active in the tri-border area of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso (e.g., Ménaka, Gao, Tillabéri regions), it targets security forces, civilians, and rivals like JNIM. Fighters include local Peuls, Sahrawi, Malian Arabs, and Dawsahak; estimated 400+ combatants historically. Known for massacres (e.g., 100+ killed in Seytenga, Burkina Faso, 2022) and territorial governance like markets and patrols.
