Islamic State – Sahel Province

{{Short description|Islamic State affiliate}}

{{Infobox war faction

| name = Islamic State – Sahel Province

| caption =

| image = Islamic State – Sahel Province.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert

| active = 13 May 2015–present

| ideology = Islamic Statism
Fulani extremism{{source needed|date=March 2025}}

| leaders = Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi{{KIA}}
Abu al-Bara' al-Sahrawi

| partof = {{flag|Islamic State}}

| clans = {{flag icon|Islamic State}} Lakurawa

| headquarters = Near Ménaka, Gao Region, Mali

| area = Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

| opponents = {{collapsible list|title=State Opponents|

{{flag|Mali}}

{{flag|Niger}}

{{flag|Burkina Faso}}

{{flag|France}}

{{flag|United Kingdom}}

{{flag|United States}}

{{flag|Russia}}

{{flag|Ukraine}}

{{flag|Benin}}{{cite news |title=IS Reveals Responsibility for Attacks in Benin, Marking Expansion of "Sahel Province" to Another Country |url=https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-Threat-Statements/is-reveals-responsibility-for-attacks-in-benin-marking-expansion-of-sahel-province-to-another-country.html |work=SITE |date=15 September 2022}}

{{flag|Algeria}}

{{flag|Chad}}

{{flag|Gambia}}

{{flag|Ghana}}

{{flag|Guinea}}

{{flag|Ivory Coast}}

{{flag|Libya}}

{{flag|Mauritania}}

{{flag|Nigeria}}{{cite news |title=IS Reveals Attacks in Sokoto (Nigeria) and Tillaberi (Niger) in Naba 205 "Exclusive" |url=https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-Threat-Statements/is-reveals-attacks-in-sokoto-nigeria-and-tillaberi-niger-in-naba-205-exclusive.html |work=SITE |date=25 October 2019}}

{{flag|Senegal}}

{{flag|Togo}}

}}

{{collapsible list|title=Non-State Opponents|

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad.svg}} Movement for the Salvation of Azawad

{{flagicon image|GATIA flag.svg}} GATIA

{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} JNIM

25px Wagner Group

}}

| size = 2,000–3,000{{cite web |title=S/2024/556 |url=https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=S%2F2024%2F556&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop&LangRequested=False |website=United Nations |access-date=1 August 2024}}

| designated_as_terror_group_by = See below

}}

The Islamic State – Sahel Province{{efn|{{Langx|ar|الدولة الاسلامية – ولاية الساحل|translit=al-Dawlah al-Islāmīyah – Wilāyat al-Sāḥil}},

{{Langx|fr|État islamique – Province du Sahel}},
{{Langx|ber|Tadunt Taslamt – Tadunt Sahel}}}} (ISSP), formerly known as Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS), is an Islamist militant group adhering to the ideology of Salafi Jihadism. IS-GS was formed on 15 May 2015 as the result of a split within the militant group Al-Mourabitoun. The rift was a reaction to the adherence of one of its leaders, Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi,{{cite news|url=https://editorials.voa.gov/a/rewards-for-isis-gs-leader-adnan-abu-walid/5117310.html|title=Rewards for ISIS-GS Leader Adnan Abu Walid|date=10 October 2019|work=VOA|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=5 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105013309/https://editorials.voa.gov/a/rewards-for-isis-gs-leader-adnan-abu-walid/5117310.html|url-status=live}} to the Islamic State. From March 2019 to 2022, IS-GS was formally part of the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP);{{sfnp|Zenn|2020|p=6}} when it was also called "ISWAP-Greater Sahara".{{sfnp|Bacon|Warner|2021|p=80}} In March 2022, IS declared the province autonomous, separating it from its West Africa Province{{Cite news |title=The State of al Qaeda and ISIS Around the World |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-state-of-al-qaeda-and-isis-around-the-world |last1=Chesnutt |first1=Kate |date=2022-09-08 |work=Critical Threats |last2=Zimmerman |first2=Katherine}} and naming it Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP).

History

Al-Mourabitoun was created on 22 August 2013 after the merging of MUJAO and Al-Mulathameen.{{cite news |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2013/08/22/97001-20130822FILWWW00250-afrique-fusion-de-2-groupes-djihadistes.php |title=Afrique : fusion de 2 groupes djihadistes |newspaper=Le Figaro |author=AFP |author-link=Agence France-Presse |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428142418/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2013/08/22/97001-20130822FILWWW00250-afrique-fusion-de-2-groupes-djihadistes.php |url-status=live }} On 13 May 2015, elements of Al-Mourabitoun under the leadership of Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.{{cite news |url=http://fr.alakhbar.info/10162-0-Le-groupe-El-Mourabitoune-a-prte-allegeance-a-lEtat-islamique.html |title=Le groupe El-Mourabitoune prête allégeance à l'Etat islamique |work=Alakhbar |date=13 May 2015 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123080734/http://fr.alakhbar.info/10162-0-Le-groupe-El-Mourabitoune-a-prte-allegeance-a-lEtat-islamique.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://fr.alakhbar.info/10163-0-El-Mourabitone-appelle-les-autres-groupes-jihaidste-a-prter-allegeance-a-lEtat-islamique-Audio.html |title=El-Mourabitoune appelle les autres groupes jihaidstes à prêter allégeance à l'Etat islamique (Audio) |work=Alakhbar |date=13 May 2015 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=26 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126173030/http://fr.alakhbar.info/10163-0-El-Mourabitone-appelle-les-autres-groupes-jihaidste-a-prter-allegeance-a-lEtat-islamique-Audio.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20150514-sahel-groupe-jihadiste-prete-allegeance-organisation-etat-islamique-belmokhtar-sahraoui-mourabitoune |title=Sahel : un chef d'Al-Mourabitoune prête allégeance à l'organisation de l'État islamique |work=France 24 |author=AFP |author-link=Agence France-Presse |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815024213/http://www.france24.com/fr/20150514-sahel-groupe-jihadiste-prete-allegeance-organisation-etat-islamique-belmokhtar-sahraoui-mourabitoune |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20151206-mali-sahel-lutte-positionnement-groupes-jihadistes-belmokhtar-aqmi-al-mourabitoune-?ns_campaign=reseaux_sociaux&ns_source=twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_linkname=editorial&aef_campaign_ref=partage_aef&aef_campaign_date=2015-12-06&dlvrit=1448817 |title=Mali-Sahel: lutte de positionnement des groupes jihadistes |work=Radio France Internationale |date=6 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160007/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20151206-mali-sahel-lutte-positionnement-groupes-jihadistes-belmokhtar-aqmi-al-mourabitoune-?ns_campaign=reseaux_sociaux&ns_source=twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_linkname=editorial&aef_campaign_ref=partage_aef&aef_campaign_date=2015-12-06&dlvrit=1448817 |url-status=live }} It operated independently until 30 October 2016, when it was formally recognized by the Islamic State.{{cite news |first=Mathieu |last=Olivier |url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/364909/politique/dix-ans-apres-creation-letat-islamique-afrique/ |title=Dix ans après sa création, où en est l'État islamique en Afrique et au Maghreb ? |work=Jeune Afrique |date=13 October 2016 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=16 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016034538/http://www.jeuneafrique.com/364909/politique/dix-ans-apres-creation-letat-islamique-afrique/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://fr.alakhbar.info/10168-0-Bel-Mokhtar-dement-lallegeance-du-groupe-El-Mourabitoune-a-lEtat-Islamique.html |title=Bel Mokhtar dément l'allégeance du groupe El-Mourabitoune à l'Etat Islamique |work=Alakhbar |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212438/http://fr.alakhbar.info/10168-0-Bel-Mokhtar-dement-lallegeance-du-groupe-El-Mourabitoune-a-lEtat-Islamique.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20150515-mokhtar-belmokhtar-al-mourabitoune-dement-allegeance-organisation-etat-islamique |title=Mokhtar Belmokhtar récuse l'allégeance du groupe Al-Mourabitoune à l'EI |work=France 24 |author=AFP |author-link=Agence France-Presse |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815024033/http://www.france24.com/fr/20150515-mokhtar-belmokhtar-al-mourabitoune-dement-allegeance-organisation-etat-islamique |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20161031-mali-groupe-etat-islamique-officialise-presence-sahel-Abou-Walid-Sahraoui |title=Mali: le groupe Etat islamique officialise sa présence au Sahel |work=Radio France Internationale |date=31 October 2016 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101165035/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20161031-mali-groupe-etat-islamique-officialise-presence-sahel-Abou-Walid-Sahraoui |url-status=live }}

The group's ranks increased by dozens of Malian militants and sympathizers from the Gao Region{{cite book |first=Marc |last=Mémier |url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/memier_aqmi_et_al-mourabitoun_fr_2017.compressed.pdf |title=AQMI et Al-Mourabitoun : le djihad sahélien réunifié? |date=January 2017 |isbn=978-2-36567-661-8 |publisher=Institut français des relations internationales |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |pages=54 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312043437/https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/memier_aqmi_et_al-mourabitoun_fr_2017.compressed.pdf |url-status=live }} near Ménaka.{{cite news |url=http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20170223-niger-11-militaires-tues-attaque-frontiere-malienne-tliwa |title=Niger: 15 militaires tués lors d'une attaque près de la frontière malienne |work=Radio France Internationale |date=23 February 2017 |access-date=28 November 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226194354/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20170223-niger-11-militaires-tues-attaque-frontiere-malienne-tliwa |url-status=live }}

On 1 November 2019, gunmen killed over 50 soldiers in the 2019 Indelimane attack in the Ménaka Region of Mali.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/militants-kill-54-attack-mali-army-post-claims-responsibility-n1075721|title=Militants kill 54 in attack on Mali army post, ISIS claims responsibility|website=NBC News|date=3 November 2019 |accessdate=12 December 2019}} A week later in Burkina Faso, gunmen stormed a convoy of buses for the Boungou miners, killing 37, although some estimate the death toll to be much higher.{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-semafo-attack-idUKKBN1XI1CQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108195239/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-semafo-attack-idUKKBN1XI1CQ|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2019|title='So many dead': Survivors describe terrifying Burkina Faso ambush|date=2019-11-08|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-12-12|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.afp.com/en|title=AFP.com|website=AFP.com|date=16 January 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}

On 28 November 2019, Spanish authorities issued a warning on the possibility of a terror attack in the region against Spanish citizens visiting or working in the Saharawi refugee camps in Western Sahara.{{cite news |title=Spain Warns of Possible Sahara Camp Terror Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/11/28/world/europe/ap-eu-spain-attack-alert.html |access-date=30 November 2019 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129014826/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/11/28/world/europe/ap-eu-spain-attack-alert.html |archive-date=29 November 2019 |language=en |url-status=dead}} Spanish authorities feared the attacks would coincide with the Spanish Día de la Constitución (December 6) celebrations.{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2019/11/27/actualidad/1574857203_694061.html |title=Los servicios secretos alertan del riesgo de atentado yihadista contra españoles en el Sáhara |first=Miguel |last=González |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019 |location=Madrid |newspaper=El País |publisher=Prisa |language=es |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128005933/https://elpais.com/politica/2019/11/27/actualidad/1574857203_694061.html |url-status=live }} Secret services warned of the risk of a jihadist attack in the Sahara region at refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria.{{cite news |url=https://www.elespanol.com/espana/20191128/informes-secretos-alertan-atentado-inminente-espanoles-sahara/447955433_0.html |title=Informes secretos alertan del riesgo de "atentado inminente" contra españoles en el Sáhara |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019 |newspaper=El Español |language=es |first=Gonzalo |last=Araluce |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128180448/https://www.elespanol.com/espana/20191128/informes-secretos-alertan-atentado-inminente-espanoles-sahara/447955433_0.html |url-status=live }} The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic denied this threat.{{cite news |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20191128/471926528587/alerta-riesgo-atentado-espenoles-sahara-ministerio-de-exteriores-argelia.html |title=Exteriores alerta del riesgo de atentado contra españoles en el Sáhara |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019 |newspaper=La Vanguardia |language=es |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128113737/https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20191128/471926528587/alerta-riesgo-atentado-espenoles-sahara-ministerio-de-exteriores-argelia.html |url-status=live }} No attack happened.

On 10 December 2019, a large group of fighters belonging to the IS-GS attacked a military post in Inates, Niger,{{cite news |title=Behind the Jihadist Attack in Inates |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/niger/behind-jihadist-attack-inates |work=ReliefWeb |date=13 December 2019}} killing over seventy soldiers and kidnapping others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191211-niger-soldiers-killed-attack-sahel-military-camp-issoufou-keita-macron-france-tuareg-islamic-state-al-qaeda-dead|title=At least 70 soldiers killed in attack on Niger military camp|date=2019-12-11|website=France 24|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}} On 9 January 2020, a large group of IS-GS militants assaulted a Nigerien military base at Chinagodrar, in Niger's Tillabéri Region, killing at least 89 Nigerien soldiers.{{Cite news |last1=Aksar |first1=Moussa |last2=Lewis |first2=David |last3=Balima |first3=Boureima |last4=Ross |first4=Aaron |date=2020-01-11 |title=Niger army base attack death toll rises to at least 89: security sources |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=Elgood |editor-first=Giles |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-niger-security-idUSKBN1ZA0TH |access-date=2023-07-09}}

During 2021, the group carried out massacres in Niger, mainly in the regions of Tillabéri and Tahoua, killing more than 600 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/least-11-soldiers-killed-attack-southwest-niger-sources-say-2021-11-05/|title=Gunmen kill up to 15 soldiers in southwest Niger, sources say|work=Reuters|date=5 November 2021}} The killings included the Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumdareye massacres, the March 2021 Darey-Daye massacre, the Tillia massacres and the 2021 Adab-Dab attack.

In December 2021, the French Army announced that it had killed in Niger, one of the perpetrators of the assassination of six French humanitarian workers and their Nigerien companions in the Kouré reserve in August 2020. The man is presented as Soumana Boura. The staff had identified him as leading a group of several dozen EIGS fighters, in the Gober Gourou and Firo area, in western Niger. a member of the Islamic State in the Grand Sahara (EIGS).{{cite news|url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20211221-attaque-de-kour%C3%A9-au-niger-l-arm%C3%A9e-fran%C3%A7aise-annonce-avoir-tu%C3%A9-un-membre-du-commando|title=Attaque de Kouré au Niger: l'armée française annonce avoir tué un membre du commando|work=RFI|date=22 December 2021}}

On 11 June 2022, the group attacked the town of Seytenga in Burkina Faso, killing at least 100 civilians in a massacre.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-13 |title=Armed men kill at least 100 in Burkina Faso border zone - security source |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/least-100-killed-burkina-faso-attack-over-weekend-sources-2022-06-13/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616222222/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/least-100-killed-burkina-faso-attack-over-weekend-sources-2022-06-13/ |archive-date=2022-06-16 |access-date=2022-06-14 |work=Reuters |language=en}}

On 15 June 2022, it was announced the French military force captured Oumeya Ould Albakaye, a senior ISGS leader in Mali overnight between 11-12 June.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/france-announces-capture-senior-islamic-state-figure-mali-2022-06-15/|title=France announces capture of senior Islamic State figure in Mali|author1=Tangi Salaun|author2=Sudip Kar-Gupta|work=Reuters|date=15 June 2022|access-date=18 August 2022}}

Between 2022 and 2023, the group saw major gains in the Mali War, occupying large swarths of territory in southeastern Mali. Tidermène was captured by the group on 12 April 2023.{{citation | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fgbb9g | publisher=BBC | year=2023 | language=English | title=BBC Africa Today: Islamic State Sahel Province fighters seize commune in Mali}}

In early April 2023, the group killed at least 44 civilians in the towns of Kourakou and Tondobi in Burkina Faso.[https://news.sky.com/story/burkina-faso-at-least-44-killed-in-despicable-and-barbaric-attacks-12853304 Burkina Faso: At least 44 killed in attacks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409112525/https://news.sky.com/story/burkina-faso-at-least-44-killed-in-despicable-and-barbaric-attacks-12853304 |date=2023-04-09 }}, Sky News

On 21 March 2024, the group ambushed Nigerien soldiers in Tillabéri Region, Niger, killing at least 23 soldiers.{{Cite news|title=Several Nigerien soldiers killed in ambush near Burkina Faso, Mali border|url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240322-several-nigerien-soldiers-killed-in-ambush-near-burkina-faso-mali-border|access-date=2024-05-09|website=France24}}

As reported in the BBC in 2025, the Sahel has become the global epicenter of terrorism, now accounting for over half of all terrorism-related deaths, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI). In 2023, the region recorded 3,885 fatalities out of 7,555 worldwide, a nearly tenfold increase since 2019. The rise in extremist violence is driven by the expansion of groups like ISIS-Sahel and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), which compete for land and impose strict Sharia governance. Political instability, weak governance, and military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger have further fueled the insurgency. These groups finance operations through ransom kidnappings, illicit gold mining, and drug trafficking, with the Sahel now a major route for cocaine smuggling from South America to Europe. Meanwhile, regional governments have shifted from Western alliances to Russia and China, relying on paramilitary groups like the Africa Corps (formerly Wagner) for security assistance, though with little success. The violence is now spreading to neighboring countries like Togo and Benin, raising concerns about further regional destabilization.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=Africa's Sahel: The region with more 'terror deaths' than rest of world combined |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8vyl3j5kko |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}

On March 22, 2025, Niger's Interior Ministry blamed an attack that left 44 Muslim worshippers dead while they were performing Friday prayers. The attackers also set fire to a market and houses before retreating, according to the ministry.{{Cite web |title=Niger: 'Islamic State' kills dozens in mosque attack – DW – 03/22/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/niger-islamic-state-kills-dozens-in-mosque-attack/a-72007019 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=dw.com |language=en}}

Organization, forces and location

= Commanding officers =

The group was founded and headed by Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi until he was killed by a French drone strike in Mali in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Ataman|first=Joseph|date=16 September 2021|title=French President claims targeted killing of ISIS chief in Sahara|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/africa/france-killed-isis-al-sahrawi-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=16 September 2021|website=CNN}}

Al-Sahraoui may have been replaced towards the end of 2019 by a new wali, Abdoul Hakim Al-Sahraoui.{{cn|date=September 2021}} Among his other commanders are Doundoun Chefou, Illiassou Djibo alias Petit Chafori (or Djafori) and Mohamed Ag Almouner, known as "Tinka", killed by the French Army on August 26, 2018.

In 2024, Heni Nsaibia reported that ISGS is operated by a majlis al-shura, or central leadership council, with a governor currently led by Abu al-Bara' al-Sahrawi.{{Cite web |last=Nsaibia |first=Héni |date=2024-09-30 |title=Newly restructured, the Islamic State in the Sahel aims for regional expansion |url=https://acleddata.com/2024/09/30/newly-restructured-the-islamic-state-in-the-sahel-aims-for-regional-expansion/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=ACLED |language=en-US}} Under the majlis al-shura are four offices: the Law and Sanctions Office, the Military and Operations Office, Logistics Office, and the Foreign Fighters Office. The Law and Sanctions Office (LSO) is operated by al-Sahrawi, Youssof Ould Chouaib, Talha al-Jazairi, and Dadi Ould Chouaib. The Military and Operations Office (MOO) is commanded by Mohamed Ould Manaha, Youssof Ould Chouaib, Abdou Tchougel, Moussa Moumimi, Bolla ag Mohamed, and Joulde Pirodji, also known as Khatab. The Logistics Office (LO) is operated by Idrissa Ould Chouaib and Muawiya. The Foreign Fighters Office (FFO) is operated by Abu Hachim, Abu Umar al-Libi, and Abu Jafar.

There is also a Media Office run by the Majlis al-Shura. The media office propagates IS-Sahel and IS-Central propaganda.

= Location and Structure =

IS-Sahel operates in five zones. Each zone is operated by an emir, a qadi (judge)

Zone 1, the Burkina Faso and Gourma zone, is located in Burkina Faso's Oudalan and Séno provinces, the Gourma region of Mali (encompassing Tessit commune and the surrounding area), and Niger's Bankilare and Téra departments. The emir, or leader, of Zone 1 is Sadou Tongomayel also known as Sadou Ibrahim or Almoustapha Ould Zeidi. Under Tongomayel's command are Moussa Moumini, Oumaya Ould Albakaye, Abu Houreira, Yero Belko, Moukailou Djibrilou, and Mamoudou Kouka.

Zone 2, the Haoussa zone, encompasses the Gabero, Bara, Bourra, Ouatagouna, and Tin Hama communes near Ansongo and Gao in Mali on the left bank of the Niger river. Baye Ag Adil is the emir of Zone 2, with Oubel Boureima and Moussa Djibo serving under him.

Zone 3, encompasses from Amalaoulaou to Akabar and Tabankort in rural eastern Mali, with a base located near In Arab. Bara' al-Sahrawi is the emir of this zone, with Abdou Tchoguel and Issa Barry serving under him. Both Zone 2 and 3 are collectively known as the Muthalath zone, or Triangle, referring to the confluence of the Nigerien, Malian, and Burkinabe borders.

Zone 4, also known as Anderamboukane, extends from Ménaka in Mali to Abala in Niger, with headquarters in Andéramboukane. Zoubeirou is the emir of the region, and Mourtala Magadji is the military leader.

Zone 5, also known as the Azawagh zone, extends from Tidermène in the north to the Ezza valley in the south. Khatab is the emir, and Magadji serves as the military leader there too.

= Forces =

In early 2017, Marc Mémier, a researcher at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI), estimated that the Islamic State in the Grand Sahara had a few dozen men – not counting sympathizers – mostly Malians in the region of Gao. At the end of 2015, RFI indicated that the group's workforce would total around one hundred.

The early composition of ISGS was predominantly Sahrawi, although many were killed during the French intervention in Mali. Despite new leadership and a new demographic, much of ISGS' top brass are Sahrawi or Malian Arabs.

According to a report from the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at West Point, the EIGS had 425 combatants in August 2018.

= Settlement area and ethnic base =

{{Seealso|Nomadic conflict|Fulani extremism}}

File:The activity area of the ISGS.png

The group is based in the Ménaka region.

As with other armed groups in the Sahel, jihadists or not, the ISGS is part of a largely community-based dynamic. A large part of its combatants is thus Peuls. In Mali, the latter are for the most part Nigerien nationals whom the droughts in the Sahel and the demographic surge of Zarma and Hausa peasants, which is exerted from the south to the north, have pushed on the Malian side of the border. Adnan Abu Walid Al-Sahraoui won the support of many members of this community by promising to protect them against raids and theft of cattle carried out by the Tuaregs, starting with the Dahoussahak (Idaksahak).

However, ISGS would include members from the two communities. Thus, at present, the combatants of ISGS are divided into two katibas (combatant units), one composed mainly of Daoussahak and the other of Peuls.

Analysis

= Designation as a terrorist organization =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Country

!Date

!References

align=left| {{USA}}

|23 May 2018

|{{Cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ |title=Foreign Terrorist Organizations |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227062101/https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ |url-status=live }}

align=left| {{UN}}

|23 February 2020

|{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries |title=ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee / Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing |date= n.d. |website= United Nations Security Council |publisher= United Nations |access-date= 1 October 2021 }}

align=left| {{ARG}}

|23 February 2020

|{{cite web |url=https://repet.jus.gob.ar/#entidades |title=Registro Público de Personas y Entidades vinculadas a actos de Terrorismo y su Financiamiento - RePET - |date= n.d. |website= Ministero de Justicia y Derechos Humanos |publisher= Presidencia de la Nación |access-date= 1 October 2021 }}

align=left| {{NZ}}

|23 February 2020

|{{cite web |url= https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-7-september-2021.pdf |title= Designated individuals and organisations |date= 7 September 2021 |website= New Zealand Police |publisher= New Zealand Government |access-date= 1 October 2021 |archive-date= 10 September 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210910063022/https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-7-september-2021.pdf |url-status= dead }}

align=left| {{CAN}}

|2 February 2021

|{{cite web |url=https://www.securitepublique.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-fr.aspx |title=Entités terroristes inscrites |date= 25 June 2021 |website= Sécurité publique Canada |publisher= Gouvernement du Canada |access-date= 1 October 2021 }}

align=left| {{IRQ}}

|?

|{{Cite web |url=https://moj.gov.iq/upload/pdf/4543.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531070119/https://moj.gov.iq/upload/pdf/4543.pdf |url-status=live }}

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

= Works cited =

  • {{Cite journal |url = https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CTC-SENTINEL-072021.pdf |title = Twenty Years After 9/11: The Threat in Africa—The New Epicenter of Global Jihadi Terror |last1 = Bacon |first1 = Tricia |last2 = Warner |first2 = Jason |date = 2021 |journal = CTC Sentinel |publisher = Combating Terrorism Center |issue = 7 |volume = 14 |location = West Point, New York |pages = 76–90 |access-date = 2021-09-24 |archive-date = 2021-09-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210908175925/https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CTC-SENTINEL-072021.pdf |url-status = dead }}
  • {{Cite journal |url = https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TM-Mar.-20-2020-Issue.pdf?x78547 |title = Islamic State in West Africa Province and the Battle With Boko Haram |last= Zenn |first= Jacob |date = 20 March 2020 |journal = Terrorism Monitor |publisher = Jamestown Foundation |issue = 6 |volume = 18 |pages = 6–8 }}

Further reading

  • {{Cite journal

|url = https://www.ctc.usma.edu/v2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/CTC-Sentinel_Vol9Iss1119.pdf

|title = Sub-Saharan Africa's Three "New" Islamic State Affiliates

|last= Warner

|first= Jason

|date = 2017

|journal = CTC Sentinel

|doi =

|pmid =

|issue = 1

|volume = 10

|pages = 28–32

|access-date = 2017-02-11

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170430031255/https://www.ctc.usma.edu/v2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/CTC-Sentinel_Vol9Iss1119.pdf

|archive-date = 2017-04-30

|url-status = dead

}}

{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Africa

Category:Factions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Category:Islamic organizations established in 2015

Category:Military units and formations established in 2015

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Iraq

Category:Rebel groups in Burkina Faso

Category:Rebel groups in Mali

Category:Rebel groups in Niger

Category:Military units and factions of the Mali War

Category:Islamic terrorism in Mali

Category:Terrorism in the Mali War