Under the Trump administration, Washington is actively exploring potential military measures targeting the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked coalition operating across Mali. The proposal, though still under internal debate, has drawn both support and skepticism within key U.S. security circles.
Among its advocates is Sebastian Gorka, a senior counterterrorism advisor at the White House National Security Council, who has publicly advocated for decisive military action against the jihadist group. While discussions remain fluid, no official confirmation or denial has been issued regarding potential U.S. airstrikes or ground operations in Mali.
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the Sahel’s evolving security landscape poses a transnational threat. The official emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between Washington and its African and NATO allies to bolster the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in countering extremist factions like JNIM and the Islamic State’s regional affiliates.
Additionally, the official underscored the ineffectiveness of recent security cooperation with Russia in Mali, describing it as a failed strategy that has exacerbated the country’s instability. This assessment, they warned, should serve as a cautionary lesson for other African nations grappling with similar challenges.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported deliberations, while the State Department reiterated its firm condemnation of terrorist activities in Mali. The JNIM, designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2018, remains the dominant jihadist force in the Sahel, responsible for sustained violence and destabilization.