Trump Considers Military Strikes Against JNIM Militants in Mali

The Donald Trump administration is considering military action in Mali to target Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group. Proposed operations would likely involve precision drone or air strikes against terrorist leadership. If approved, Mali would become the eighth nation where the president has ordered strikes during his second term.

Sebastian Gorka, the National Security Council’s senior director for counterterrorism, is a primary advocate for the use of force. The consideration follows a surge in JNIM activity, including a nationwide offensive in April and a July ambush that killed over 50 Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries. Other attacks include a suicide bombing that killed Mali's defense minister and the shooting down of military helicopters.

Senior U.S. officials remain divided on the decision, citing the risk of hostilities with Russian forces, including the Wagner Group and Africa Corps, which currently operate in the region. U.S. officials have characterized Russia as an ineffective security partner for Mali's junta government. Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased intelligence sharing with Mali's military rulers to facilitate the recovery of captured American missionary Kevin Rideout and has urged NATO allies to support the Alliance of Sahel States in their fight against JNIM and ISIS.