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Islamic State in the Greater Sahara: Who are they?

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In sub-Saharan Africa, trouble keeps expanding in the form of new branches of extremist terror and criminal organizations. The question today is: Who is the Islamic State in the greater Sahara?

The easy answer to that question is they are an Islamic State affiliation, which means they fall in line with Al Baghdadi’s group in Syria and Iraq. IS has been making moves in Africa for a while now with little success. Al-Shabaab denied them access to their network in Somalia. That does not mean there are not little offshoots in northern Somalia, but they are barely any threat to Somalia and its neighbors. In Libya they had better opportunities, but even now the ground is shrinking around them.

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  • Michael T

    Great article! The map is a fantastic resource! This region has been simmering for decades, but, the U.S. doesn’t seem to think very much about it (until the last 10 years or so). I recently began studying Sub-Saharan African history, especially the effects of colonialism and the difficulties in independence, but, I have not delved much into Sahara and Sahel regions. I definitely have to get more books, histories, and, information on that area.

  • LPD256

    That would be great. Some of us stay up with friends there.

  • Tessa Shmessa

    ISIS is like Whack-a-Mole… always popping back up again! Stahhhp

  • Susan B

    Thanks, Jay. I was wondering what new areas IS would pop up its ugly head. I have a heart for Burkina as we sponsored a lot of people there on long term missions. Many of those have come home after spending many years there but their ministries still go on through the Burkina people. I would hate to see IS terror squads going in with their destructive forces. But then, I feel the same throughout that whole area and not just Burkina. As if the extreme poverty and despair in those nations wasn’t bad enough, terror and persecution had to be added to the mix. Just doesn’t seem fair. Hopefully, their guys, our guys, the French, and whoever can get a handle on these terrorist groups and annihilate them. Meanwhile, thank you again, Jay, for keeping us abreast of the situation there.

  • Jay

    I have been there a few times, love the place haha I was just in Mog this July! going back soon I will put something up mate?