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Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali Create 5,000-Soldier Unified Force Under AES to Combat Jihadists

Jan 22, 2025, 10:00 AM

Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, three junta-led Sahel nations, have announced the formation of a unified military force comprising 5,000 soldiers. This initiative, part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), aims to combat jihadist threats in the region. The force, described as 'practically ready' by Niger's Defense Minister General Salifou Mody, will include air, land, and intelligence capabilities and is expected to be operational within weeks. The three countries, which experienced military coups between 2020 and 2023, share a common goal of addressing security challenges, particularly attacks by groups linked to Al-Qaida and ISIS. The AES represents a break from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which these nations have left, with the departure becoming effective on January 29. The unified force will focus on securing the 2.8 million square kilometer territory shared by the three nations, with a particular emphasis on the tri-border area, a hotspot for jihadist activity.