Islamic State – Sahil Province facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Islamic State – Sahel Province |
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Logo of The Sahil Province
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| Active | 13 May 2015–present |
| Ideology | Salafi jihadism |
| Leaders | Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi † Abdulaziz Mahwaz Al-Jamal |
| Headquarters | Near Ménaka, Gao Region, Mali |
| Area of operations | Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso |
| Part of |  Islamic State |
| Opponents | State Opponents
Non-State Opponents
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| Designated as a terrorist organisation by | |
| See below | |
The Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP) is an armed group active in the Sahel region of Africa. It was once known as Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS). This group follows an extreme religious belief system that uses violence to achieve its goals.
IS-GS was formed on May 15, 2015. It came about after a split within another armed group called Al-Mourabitoun. One of its leaders, Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahraoui, decided to join the Islamic State.
From March 2019 to 2022, IS-GS was officially part of the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP). During this time, it was also called "ISWAP-Greater Sahara." In March 2022, the Islamic State declared it a separate, independent province. They renamed it Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP).
Contents
History of the Group
Al-Mourabitoun was formed on August 22, 2013. It was created by combining two other groups: MUJAO and Al-Mulathameen.
On May 13, 2015, some members of Al-Mourabitoun, led by Abu Walid al-Sahraoui, promised their loyalty to the Islamic State. The group operated on its own until October 30, 2016. That's when the Islamic State officially recognized it.
The group grew as many fighters and supporters from the Gao Region in Mali, near Ménaka, joined them.
In 2021, the group carried out violent attacks in Niger. These attacks mainly happened in the Tillabéri and Tahoua areas. More than 600 people were harmed in these events.
In December 2021, the French Army announced a success in Niger. They stated they had stopped one of the people responsible for a past attack. This attack, in August 2020, had harmed six French aid workers and their Nigerien companions in the Kouré reserve. The person was identified as Soumana Boura. He was believed to lead a group of fighters in western Niger.
On June 15, 2022, it was announced that French military forces had captured a senior leader of the group. This leader, Oumeya Ould Albakaye, was captured in Mali between June 11 and 12.
Between 2022 and 2023, the group made significant advances in the Mali War. They took control of large areas in southeastern Mali. For example, Tidermène was captured by the group on April 12, 2023.
How the Group is Organized
Leaders and Commanders
The group was started and led by Adnan Abu Walid Al-Sahraoui. He was killed by a French drone attack in Mali in 2021.
It is thought that Abdoul Hakim Al-Sahraoui might have taken over as the new leader around late 2019. Other important commanders include Doundoun Chefou and Illiassou Djibo, also known as Petit Chafori. Mohamed Ag Almouner, known as "Tinka," was another commander. He was killed by the French Army on August 26, 2018.
Number of Fighters
In early 2017, a researcher named Marc Mémier estimated the group had a few dozen fighters. This number did not include their supporters. Most of these fighters were Malians from the Gao region. By the end of 2015, another report suggested the group had about one hundred members.
According to a report from the Combating Terrorism Center in August 2018, the group had 425 fighters.
Where the Group Operates
The main base for this group is in the Ménaka region.
Like other armed groups in the Sahel, this group has strong ties to local communities. Many of its fighters are from the Peul ethnic group. In Mali, many of these Peul people are from Niger. They moved to Mali because of droughts and population growth in their home areas.
Adnan Abu Walid Al-Sahraoui gained support from many Peul people. He promised to protect them from attacks and cattle theft by the Tuaregs. This included protection from the Dahoussahak (Idaksahak) group.
However, the group also includes members from both the Peul and Tuareg communities. Currently, the group's fighters are divided into two main units, called katibas. One unit is mostly made up of Dahoussahak members, and the other is mostly Peul members.
See also
- Tongo Tongo ambush
