Islamist militants have extended their presence in West and Central Africa, leading to a decade-long insurgency in Mali. The recent killing of a senior Islamic State commander linked to a deadly attack on U.S. forces in Africa is seen as a significant development in the fight against terrorism in the region. Abu Huzeifa, also known as Higgo, was a commander in the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, and was believed to have been involved in the 2017 assault on U.S. and Nigerien forces in Tongo Tongo, Niger, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans and four Nigerien soldiers. The U.S. military had put a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture.
The operation that led to the killing of Huzeifa was carried out by Mali’s security forces, with assistance from a Tuareg armed group allied with the state. The operation took place in Mali’s north, where militants have been active for years. The killing of Huzeifa, as announced by the Malian army, is seen as a significant blow to the Islamic State group in the region. The leader of the Tuareg armed group confirmed their participation in the operation, highlighting a coordinated effort by different factions to combat terrorism in Mali.
Mali has been facing political instability since 2020, experiencing two coups and a wave of violence fueled by jihadi groups with links to al-Qaida and the Islamic State. The killing of Abu Huzeifa could potentially lead to a decrease in violence against civilians in the area, but the threat of similar leaders taking over still remains high. Col. Assimi Goita, who took charge in Mali after the second coup in 2021, has pledged to end the insurgency and has cut military ties with France in favor of security support from Russian mercenaries. The forming of a security alliance with neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso indicates a regional effort to combat the escalating violence.
Conflict analysts have noted a worsening trend of violence in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, with security forces in these countries struggling to contain the insurgency. The use of Russian mercenaries by the Malian junta, led by Col. Goita, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of this approach in addressing the complex security challenges in the region. The alliance between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso reflects a recognition of the need for regional cooperation to confront the common threat posed by Islamist militants. The killing of Huzeifa is a significant achievement, but the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region is far from over.
Despite the success of the operation that led to the killing of Abu Huzeifa, the threat of terrorism in Mali and the wider Sahel region persists. As the leadership of terrorist groups changes and new commanders emerge, the security situation remains fragile. The recent escalation of violence and political instability in Mali and neighboring countries underscores the need for sustained international support and regional cooperation to address the underlying factors driving extremism in the region. The killing of Abu Huzeifa is a step in the right direction, but it is just one battle in a long and challenging war against terrorism in West and Central Africa.
