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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

In terms of propaganda, IS released four feature videos about its #Africa branches during the quarter - a notable increase in the frequency of this type of long-form propaganda

These showcased the activities of the #Sahel, ISWAP, ISCAP and Mozambique branches.

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

Meanwhile, IS's #Mozambique branch almost doubled activities compared to the previous quarter, whilst also widening attacks northwards and southwards, including into Nampula province, south of #CaboDelgado

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

In #DRC, ISCAP stepped up violence against Christian civilians in September, possibly exploiting ongoing instability as the #Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continued their insurgency

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

#Nigeria-focused ISWAP attacks dropped in Q3, as assaults on well-fortified military positions – a hallmark of its activity earlier this year – became highly infrequent.

ISWAP attacks this quarter are on a par with Central Africa branch (ISCAP) and Mozambique branch

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

IS Sahel claimed an especially large clash with #JNIM, allegedly killing 70 JNIM fighters. Alongside other reported clashes, this points to continuing tensions between the jihadist rivals, especially in northern Burkina Faso

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

In the Sahel, AQ's JNIM re-focused its attacks on #Mali, with more incidents in the country in September than in #BurkinaFaso.

JNIM is increasingly focusing on commercial targets, announcing a blockade on the south-western Kayes town and international commercial routes in early September

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

There were continued high-casualty attacks by IS's #Somalia branch, featuring on Naba's front page of al-Naba six weeks in a row

IS propaganda framed the killing of a senior commander as a "major blow" to the efforts by #Puntland forces to clear the Al Miskad mountains of IS

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 1d

It’s that time of year again. BBC Monitoring's jihadist media team just published its data-driven quarterly report on jihadism in sub-Saharan #Africa for Q3 2025

Each quarter we look at the key developments in the five main African conflict zones where jihadist groups operate

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 2d

This video apparently shows a #JNIM spox warning Malians in Bambara against helping the military, to comply with JNIM as blockade enters 6th week

Note unusual media branding: "al-Fath Channel" (Chaine al-Fath), apparently a new - or little known - media outlet carrying messages in local languages

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 12d

It's not typical for JNIM's official mouthpiece, al-Zallaqa, to circulate such footage immediately. The caption specifically draws attention to the location of the attack, in a clear attempt to emphasise the group's ability to attack with impunity, even on major routes into Bamako

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 12d

Following its deadly ambush on the main road between Bamako and Segou in #Mali on 1 Oct, #JNIM circulated footage from the scene showing several bodies, apparently Malian soldiers

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 15d

Thanks producer Kate Cornell for making another great episode! Full episode available on the iplayer here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Unspun World with John Simpson - Series 5: 24/09/2025

John Simpson analyses what effect the recognition of Palestine as a state might have, examines whether Syria is back in the international fold, and looks at the latest restrictions in Afghanistan.

www.bbc.co.uk

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 15d

Last week I spoke to @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social on BBC2's Unspun World about Ahmed al-Sharaa's appearance at the UN, #Syria's reintegration into the international and MENA regional community, and prospects for the future Syrian social contract

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 19d

Despite the rise in attacks, #JNIM casualty rates in #Mali tend to be much lower than in Burkina Faso, possibly reflecting the relative vulnerability of VDPs in #Burkina. The average number of casualties in Burkina Faso throughout 2025 was 4.2 per attack. In Mali, it was only 1.5

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 19d

The numbers don't include attacks on non-military targets (eg fuel tankers, commercial entreprises) which continue to go unclaimed in JNIM's official media outlets - although they are referenced elsewhere in the group's media, in videos circulated locally in local dialects, especially Bambara

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 19d

For the first time in many months, #JNIM claimed more attacks in #Mali than in #BurkinaFaso so far in September, reflecting the group's strategic shift to the country since approximately June

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 15

JNIM announced on 3 September it was blockading the cities of Kayes and Nioro-du-Sahel, home to about 130,000 and 50,000 people respectively in a significant escalation in its efforts to strangle the capital #Bamako of fuel and other imported goods

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 15

Videos circulating appear to show #JNIM's Sunday attack on fuel tankers in Mali originating from Senegal

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 12

- Nearly 80% of Mali's gold, its main resource, is produced in Kayes

- 30% of land imports, especially fuel and cereals, pass through National Road 1 from Dakar to Bamako

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 12

- Kayes was Mali's first administrative region, created by Law No. 60-3-ALRS of June 7, 1960

- The region remains a strategic economic hub, contributing the second largest share of Mali's GDP after Bamako

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 12

Interesting new report from the Timbuktu Institute explaining the importance of #Mali's western Kayes region - important context for understanding why #JNIM has been focusing its attacks on the region and the south in general in recent months

timbuktu-institute.org/index.php/to...

Rapport : Le JNIM à Kayes - Fragilisation économique et menace transfrontalière

Télécharger le rapport intégral Kayes, première région administrative du Mali créée par la loi n°60-3-A.L.R.S du 7 juin 1960, occupe une position stratégique tant sur le plan géographique que sociopol...

timbuktu-institute.org

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 11

The detonation - in the "Aguelhok valley" - killed or wounded an unspecified number of "enemy forces" and destroyed a military truck, according to JNIM. Photos depict destroyed vehicles, with militants standing triumphantly atop or beside them

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 11

Breaking: #JNIM claims "significant" IED attack on a Malian army convoy accompanied by Russian Africa Corps troops near the northern city of Kidal, #Mali. Statement says attack took place on 9 Sept.

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 9

In recent months, the majority of JNIM's training propaganda has been from Mali, coinciding with an uptick in attacks in the country since approx. May/June. Graph of attacks collected by BBCM below