Description: Islamic State – affiliated terrorists have conducted a large assault on a military base in Niger’s Banibangou leaving up to 34 soldiers dead. The terrorists used up to 200 motorbikes and 10 vehicles when they stormed the military outpost after scattering across the vast desert. The Niger military stated they have eliminated most of the assailants with ground and air search operations still being conducted. The Sahel region has been beleaguered by terrorist activities where the tri – state junta led governments of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso attempted tackling terrorist activities by forming the anti – terrorism Alliance of the Sahel States and drawing support from Russia and Turkey.
Impact: The Sahel Alliance has proven to be ineffective in tackling the growing terrorist threats in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, despite contracting operational and financial support from regional influential actors such as Turkey and Russia. The upsurge in activities points to the crippled capabilities of the junta – government militaries and law enforcement services in a region where the Islamic State and Al – Qaeda exercise operational omnipresence and have established influential footprint. The escalation in violence further destabilizes the region which is already facing a conflicting government in Libya, civil war in Sudan and spiraling violence in Nigeria where the terrorist group Boko Haram are expanding their presence. The Sahel region would become significantly destabilized potentially developing prolonged humanitarian, refugee and security crises further aggravated by the lack of financing throughout international humanitarian organizations, such as the UN.