Islamist extremist violence in Africa's Sahel region is on course to hit record levels this year following offensives by groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State, according to figures compiled by the conflict monitor Acled.
Key facts
- Islamist extremist violence in the Sahel is set to reach historic highs, according to Acled.
- The rise follows a series of sweeping offensives by groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.
- The figures were released around the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
- Al-Qaida continues to expand in parts of Africa despite relative weakness elsewhere.
Islamist extremist violence in Africa’s Sahel region is set to reach historic highs this year after a series of sweeping offensives by groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State, according to new figures compiled by the conflict monitor Acled.
The statistics were published as the United States marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which were launched by al-Qaida against targets in Washington and New York. According to the Guardian, the new data underlines how the Sahel has become a centre of Islamist terror in the decades since.
The figures point to the continued expansion of al-Qaida in parts of Africa. This growth, the Guardian reports, stands in stark contrast with the veteran organisation’s relative weakness elsewhere in the world.
The increase in violence is attributed to offensives carried out by groups affiliated with both al-Qaida and Islamic State across the Sahel belt, a region that stretches across parts of West and Central Africa.
Acled, the conflict monitor behind the figures, tracks and compiles data on political violence and conflict worldwide. Its assessment indicates that the scale of extremist violence recorded this year is on course to surpass previous levels.
Why it matters
The Sahel's emergence as a global centre of Islamist violence marks a significant shift in the geography of extremist threats a quarter-century after 9/11. Rising violence carries serious consequences for civilian safety, regional stability and international security efforts.
Frequently asked questions
Which groups are driving the rise in Sahel violence?
According to the figures, the increase follows sweeping offensives by groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.
Who compiled the figures?
The statistics were compiled by the conflict monitor Acled.
Why is the timing significant?
The figures were released as the US marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks launched by al-Qaida, underlining the organisation's continued expansion in parts of Africa.