Ansar al-Din | Sahel Memo

Simultaneous Attacks on MINUSMA and UNMAS in Gao, Mali

by Rida Lyammouri | Jun 1, 2016 | Ansar al-Din, AQIM, Gao, Kidal, Mali, MINUSMA, Sahel, Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in Mali

By Rida Lyammouri, May 31st, 2016 Here is what we know so far about Gao attack. Tuesday night the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization in Mali (MINUSMA) and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) were targeted in Gao by almost simultaneous attacks. First...

Short Assessment on Violent Extremism Threat in Burkina Faso

by Rida Lyammouri | May 18, 2016 | Ansar al-Din, AQIM, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sahel, The Macina Liberation Front (MLF)

By Rida Lyammouri May 18th, 2016 In less than a year Burkina Faso experienced attacks by different extremist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) or Ansar al-Din south, and al-Murabitun of Adnan Abu Walid...

April 2016 AQIM and Related Security Incidents in Mali

by Rida Lyammouri | May 1, 2016 | Ansar al-Din, AQIM, Kidal, Mali, MINUSMA, Niger, Sahel, Timbuktu, Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in Mali

By Rida Lyammouri May 1st, 2016 Background: Violent extremist organizations (VEOs) operating in Mali remain determined to disrupt efforts by Malian government and its partners to stabilize the country. VEOs currently operational in Mali include Ansar al-Din, the...

Updated – Mali: Ansar al-Din Claim and More on ICRC Staff Kidnapping

by Rida Lyammouri | Apr 21, 2016 | Ansar al-Din, AQIM, Kidal, Mali, Sahel

By Rida Lyammouri April 20th, 2016 Reportedly, they were four staff members of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) initially kidnapped, and one was released and three currently remain in the hands of Ansar al-Din. Ansar al-Din reportedly claimed...

March 2016 AQIM and Related Security Incidents in Mali

by Rida Lyammouri | Apr 1, 2016 | Ansar al-Din, AQIM, Libya, Mali, MINUSMA, Sahel, Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in Mali

By Rida Lyammouri April 1st, 2016 Summary Violent extremist organizations (VEOs) operating in Mali remain determined to disrupt efforts by Malian government and its partners to stabilize the country. VEOs currently operational in Mali include Ansar al-Din, the Macina...

Libya as a Source of Weapons to Mali Through Northeast Niger

by Rida Lyammouri | Mar 18, 2016 | Ansar al-Din, Libya, Mali, MINUSMA, Niger, Sahel, Uncategorized, Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in Mali

By Rida Lyammouri March 18th, 2016 Important: This post provides information about weapons, drugs, and other illicit trafficking seizures in Northeastern Niger between September 2014 and May 2015. Please note that information provided is taken directly from a recent...