UMVA has learned that a fierce rivalry between two jihadist groups, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), is escalating across the Sahel region, with both groups vying for dominance and expanding their reach into new territories.
The conflict is intensifying, with both groups launching a series of brutal attacks on military and civilian targets. On June 18, gunmen attacked Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, killing 11 soldiers and 2 civilians, and injuring 4 security personnel.
The attack, claimed by JNIM, was a brazen assault on a strategic location that hosts the Nigerien Air Force’s primary base, the headquarters of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) joint force, and a stockpile of uranium. The airport was also a key hub for Russian forces and a drone unit conducting counterinsurgency strikes.
This was not the first attack on the airport; in January, ISSP launched a coordinated assault on the same complex, destroying a Nigerien ammunition depot and damaging several civilian aircraft. The repeated targeting of Diori Hamani underscores the deteriorating security environment in the region.
JNIM and ISSP are bitter rivals, with JNIM attempting to portray itself as a protector of local communities, while ISSP relies on coercion and mass violence. The two groups have clashed repeatedly, with ISSP claiming to have killed 35 JNIM fighters in Niger’s Tillaberi region in April.
ISSP’s significance extends beyond the Sahel, with the group leveraging sophisticated strategies to internationalize its operations and expand its reach. The group has deepened ties with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which operates in northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.
JNIM, on the other hand, has pursued a different form of expansion, focused on territory and economic pressure. The group has deployed forces from Burkina Faso to impose a fuel and transport blockade on Bamako and surrounding regions, causing nationwide fuel shortages and price increases.
The June 18 attack on Niamey’s airport was a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by these jihadist groups. As JNIM pushes toward the Gulf of Guinea and ISSP extends its reach into Nigeria, Morocco, and Spain, the question is no longer whether the insurgency is expanding, but how far it will go before an effective response is mounted.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the rivalry between JNIM and ISSP is likely to continue to escalate, with both groups seeking to assert their dominance across the Sahel. The international community is on high alert, as the stakes extend far beyond West Africa, with implications for global security and stability.
The situation is dire, with the potential for further attacks and instability high. The need for a coordinated and effective response from governments and their partners has never been more pressing.
