The administration of United States President Donald Trump is considering military action against an al-Qaeda-linked militant group in Mali, a move that could expand Washington’s counterterrorism operations to an eighth country since the president returned to office.
According to current and former US officials familiar with internal deliberations, the proposed operation would target Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate that has intensified attacks across Mali and the wider Sahel region.
The officials said the proposal remains under review and no final decision has been made on whether to authorise military strikes.