Islamic State in the Greater Sahara

Niger Attack Raises Stakes for French Forces in West Africa

Six French nationals were among eight people killed in a suspected jihadist attack in Niger on Sunday, raising fresh questions about a massive French troop deployment aimed at bolstering security in West Africa's Sahel region.

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French Aid Workers Among Eight Killed by Gunmen in Niger

Gunmen on motorcycles killed eight people including a group of French aid workers as they visited a part of Niger popular with tourists for its wildlife, officials said.

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Jihadists Abduct 10 Aid Workers in Niger: NGO

Armed jihadists abducted 10 humanitarian workers as they were distributing food in a village in southwestern Niger, their NGO said.

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‘Capture Not Possible:’ France’s Desert Operation Against Al-Qaeda Chief

The French military, for the first time, provided details on Thursday of how late last week it 'neutralized' Abdelmalek Droukdel, the 'the third deputy' of Al-Qaeda's leader.

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French actions ‘neutralize 50 terrorists’ near Mopti in central Mali

The France-led Operation Barkhane targeted ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliated fighters near Mopti in central Mali, 'neutralizing' around 50 militants

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AFRICOM shifts strategy from degrading to containing West Africa insurgents, OIG report says

United States Africa Command has shifted its strategy from degrading violent extremist organizations in West Africa to simply containing their spread

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French operations in Mali put 30 militants ‘out of action,’ as Barkhane builds Sahel Coalition coordination

French military operations against Islamic State and al-Qaeda groups in Mali put 30 militants "out of action" as Barkhane builds Sahel Coalition mechanisms

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Barkhane operations kill more than 30 ‘terrorists’ in Mali

More than 30 "terrorists" were killed during a series of one-off operations conducted by the France-led Operation Barkhane force in Mali

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Sahel: France to further strengthen Barkhane, Takuba ‘fully operational by autumn’

France will further bolster its Operation Barkhane force in the Sahel, and the new Task Force Takuba will deploy in the summer, Lecointre says

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Chad plans military deployment to Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger tri-border area

French and Swedish defense ministers discussed Chad plans to deploy military personnel to the Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger tri-border area

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