Trump Administration Weighs Mali Strikes Amid White House Divisions
World
The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering a military operation against Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked militant group operating in Mali. According to The Washington Post, no final decision has been made, and senior US officials remain divided over whether military strikes should be authorized.
Citing people familiar with the discussions, the newspaper reported that the White House is evaluating possible military options against JNIM. A White House spokesperson declined to say whether President Trump intends to authorize an operation but said the United States is encouraging governments in North and West Africa to purchase US equipment and services to support their counterterrorism efforts.
The Washington Post also reported that Washington is urging regional partners and NATO allies to support the Alliance of Sahel States — comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — in operations against JNIM and the Islamic State group.
According to the newspaper, the military authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have significantly reduced cooperation with Western countries following military coups and have expanded security ties with Russia. A White House source told the newspaper that Russia had "proven ineffective as a security partner for Mali" and expressed hope that other African countries would take note of that experience.
Should the operation be approved, Mali would become the eighth country where Donald Trump has authorized military strikes since the start of his second presidential term. According to the sources cited, the list includes Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela.
The Washington Post also reported that Washington is urging regional partners and NATO allies to support the Alliance of Sahel States — comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — in operations against JNIM and the Islamic State group.
According to the newspaper, the military authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have significantly reduced cooperation with Western countries following military coups and have expanded security ties with Russia. A White House source told the newspaper that Russia had "proven ineffective as a security partner for Mali" and expressed hope that other African countries would take note of that experience.
Should the operation be approved, Mali would become the eighth country where Donald Trump has authorized military strikes since the start of his second presidential term. According to the sources cited, the list includes Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela.
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