Jihadist and Separatist Rebels Gain Ground in Mali
From Hold Your Fire! by International Crisis Group
May 1, 2026 · 48 min · Season 6 · Episode 32
About this episode
The episode discusses the recent coordinated attacks by Jihadist and separatist rebels in Mali and their implications for regional security.
In this episode of Hold Your Fire! , Richard is joined by Crisis Group’s deputy Sahel director Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim to discuss a major wave of coordinated attacks by the al-Qaeda affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg rebels across Mali. They examine how the offensive unfolded, including the killing of Mali’s defence minister and the fall of the strategic northern city of Kidal. They discuss the nature of the renewed cooperation between JNIM and Tuareg separatists, JNIM’s goals and evolving tactics, and what the attacks mean for the junta’s hold on power and Russia’s role as Bamako’s security partner. They also look at how, on one side, the Burkina Faso and Niger military authorities and, on the other, coastal West African states are responding amid strained relations between the Sahel’s military-led governments and ECOWAS and consider where the crisis may be headed. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify . For more, check out our report “ Understanding JNIM’s Expansion Beyond ” the and our Mali page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Host: Richard
Guest: Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim
Topics covered
- Mali conflict
- Jihadist movements
- Separatist rebels
- Security dynamics
- Regional responses
- Military cooperation
Keywords
- Mali
- Jihadist
- separatist
- JNIM
- Tuareg
- Kidal
- ECOWAS
- Burkina Faso
- Niger
- Russia
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Crisis Group, al-Qaeda, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, ECOWAS, Russia
Places: Mali, Kidal, Burkina Faso, Niger, West Africa, Bamako
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