The Trump administration is considering possible military action in Mali aimed at an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group known as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with internal deliberations.

Officials said there is no final decision, but that approval would make Mali the eighth country where President Donald Trump has ordered strikes since the start of his second term. Trump initially said the chapter of his presidency would focus on ending global conflicts and shifting U.S. resources towards Americans.

Dispute inside senior U.S. ranks

The officials said there is disagreement among senior figures over whether to proceed with attacks. Sebastian Gorka, a senior counterterrorism director on the National Security Council, was identified as a prominent advocate of using force.

Some officials who discussed the planning process did so on condition of anonymity. Mali’s government, the Pentagon and the White House did not provide direct confirmation of whether the president would authorise strikes.

When asked about the prospect of action, an administration official said the United States was urging governments in North and West Africa to buy American equipment and services to support their counter-terror efforts. The official also described terrorism in the Sahel, the semi-arid region south of the Sahara, as a “multinational problem”.

The administration urged regional partners and NATO allies to back the Alliance of Sahel States in operations against JNIM and ISIS affiliates. The alliance comprises Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—countries where military leaders have seized power in coups in recent years, reduced ties with the West and turned to Russia for security assistance.

The official did not place blame on those governments for the escalation, but on Russia, saying Moscow had proved to be an ineffective security partner for Mali.

Militants’ grip and recent attacks

JNIM has built a stronghold in Mali and has increasingly carried out attacks across coastal West African states, officials said. The group is described as the best-armed militant organisation in the region.

Militants mounted a fuel blockade last year that disrupted much of Mali. This spring, they carried out co-ordinated attacks that included fighters moving through the streets of Bamako, seizing a strategic northern city from Mali’s forces and Russian-linked fighters, and killing Mali’s defence minister in a suicide attack.

A rival Islamic State affiliate in the Sahel, known as IS Sahel, has also strengthened positions near Mali’s border with Niger. Last year its militants kidnapped American missionary Kevin Rideout, who is believed to be held in Mali.

Russia-linked security forces and U.S. risk calculations

Mali’s junta has relied on Russian mercenaries, first via the Wagner Group and later through Africa Corps, which is more closely tied to Russia’s defence ministry. Human rights groups and previous reporting have accused Russian-linked forces of serious abuses.

U.S. officials said any direct American involvement could raise the risk of clashes with Russian forces operating in the region. They also said it could require deconfliction mechanisms between Washington and Moscow similar to those used in Syria during its civil war.

Last year, as part of a renewed U.S. focus on Mali, the United States increased intelligence sharing with Mali’s government, officials said. They said the intelligence was used in strikes carried out by Mali’s military, after the Biden administration had largely avoided co-operation because of Mali’s refusal to set a timeline for a return to democratic elections and its reliance on Russian security support.

However, officials said the level of cooperation remains limited compared with other U.S. partnerships in the region, including the U.S.-Nigeria security relationship. They said it also included U.S. airstrikes and a ground operation that killed a senior ISIS figure in Africa.

When the U.S. State Department was asked whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports military action in Mali, it did not answer directly. It said the administration “unequivocally condemns” terrorist activity in Mali and is monitoring threats to the United States.

Analysts cited by the officials said military strikes carry wider political risks. They pointed to past French and Russian efforts against insurgents that did not halt the spread of armed groups, and argued that additional U.S. strikes could affect the balance between JNIM and IS Sahel. One expert also warned that helping Mali’s forces kill JNIM leadership could provoke new threats against Americans or push the group closer to al-Qaeda’s core.

Join the discussion?

23 July 2026

View full article

“We will stop the endless wars.” (2016)

“I was elected to end wars, not start them.” (2019)

“We’re bringing our soldiers back home.” (2018)

“Great nations do not fight endless wars.” (2019)

“We will not be the world’s policeman.” (2016)

Mali threw out the French military in 2022. It opted for Russians who had no problem with human rights violations and supporting a corrupt government. US should not get involved. Msli can apologize to France and ask the French for help.

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Mali threw out the French military in 2022. It opted for Russians who had no problem with human rights violations and supporting a corrupt government. US should not get involved. Msli can apologize to France and ask the French for help.

And what human rights do you think are observed by the JNIM?

If China were running Mali ops like Washington, the global reaction would be outrage.

U.S. strikes get framed as “counter‑terrorism,” but if Beijing did the same, it would be branded “interference” and “expansionism.”

The difference is in perception, not in the action.

Good luck with that! 😃

Edited July 23Jul 23 by candide

1 hour ago, nauseus said:

And what human rights do you think are observed by the JNIM?

My goodness. Better not let the forum's self appointed human rights and international law experts know about this. 😉

France tries to be a nation of law and respect for civil liberties. As such, the nation does try to maintain some basic principles such as no kidnapping of children for sexual slavery or forced military use etc. Nor does the asemblee nationale wish to endorse torture and indiscriminate murder. Mali expelled France because France would not support the use of the criminal thugs of Wagner, nor support the violent military coups.

The USA should not get mixed up with the corrupt dictatorship of Mali. The working language of Mali is French despite their being 80 tribal languages spoken. The people still retain a mutual culture with France in terms of cultural understanding. It is easier for France to operate in Mali than the USA, i.e. less chance of cultural conflicts. Although some might say that the leader of the USA is a Bozo, the Bozo language is not widely spoken outside of the small tribal area. 🙃

Leave Mali's problems to sort out. They know the country and still have operatives on the ground and allies in the country. The USA has its hands full in the Gulf.

1 hour ago, Jim Waldron said:

If China were running Mali ops like Washington, the global reaction would be outrage.

U.S. strikes get framed as “counter‑terrorism,” but if Beijing did the same, it would be branded “interference” and “expansionism.”

The difference is in perception, not in the action.

The USA is not running Mali ops.

China is actively involved in some African countries, supplying the weapons for the despot military regimes of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. All 3 are ruled by corrupt military dictatorships. The same collection of countries and activists who condemn the west, are silent on the regimes' evil activities.

12 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

China is actively involved in some African countries, supplying the weapons for the despot military regimes of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. All 3 are ruled by corrupt military dictatorships. The same collection of countries and activists who condemn the west, are silent on the regimes' evil activities.

Maybe Eric is in town to lobby for a Trump Tower Bamako? Run tour groups to Timbuktu? Put towers in Ouagadougou and Niamey, and Trump can capture the entire sub Saharan Africa tourism market.

8 minutes ago, papa al said:

No need to offer a dishonest propaganda lie as 'proof'. The 25 million people receive USD $1.5 billion of foreign aid from the west. Do you suppose this helps the financial picture?

The country is at the bottom of the dung heap. A slight improvement in GDP can be presented as a brilliant result because the starting point is so low. The economy is driven by mineral exploitation and agriculture. The growth has come at a tremendous cost to the environment and people. The gold mining has left toxic pollution. Perhaps you consider arsenic poisoning of groundwater a benefit. One drought, and the bumper harvest of the past year will fade away. Africa does have droughts. Meanwhile, civil unrest grows.

20 minutes ago, papa al said:

You've posted about my favorite highway in the world...at least to say....

The Ouagadougou Bobo Dioulasso Expressway...350 km of the open road.

Clever Trump, playing 5 dimensional chess again. My guess is he is after concessions to give his family for gold, lithium, iron ore, uranium, manganese, bauxite and phosphates.

Then he can withdraw and ask for a Nobel prize.

China is already winning on the african continent.

Russia is also a winner - but probably will not make the race against China.

That is the current situation. In the short to medium term - meaning the next 20 to 30 years - this is a fact. There is ample evidence online regarding how China and Russia have positioned themselves and are driving forward resource exploitation. Human rights do not exist in these regions.

To some extent, this is entirely in line with Washington, Beijing, and - even more so—Moscow. After all, the (additional) flows of refugees will be heading for Europe.

France and the EU in general will for sure not return. Lost, but understandable after vast sums of development aid money were squandered to no avail.

China will not be so nice once they are full established there. They will have troops down there to protect their interests, not Human rights.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

My goodness. Better not let the forum's self appointed human rights and international law experts know about this. 😉

Onlinediscussion forum

France tries to be a nation of law and respect for civil liberties. As such, the nation does try to maintain some basic principles such as no kidnapping of children for sexual slavery or forced military use etc. Nor does the asemblee nationale wish to endorse torture and indiscriminate murder. Mali expelled France because France would not support the use of the criminal thugs of Wagner, nor support the violent military coups.

The USA should not get mixed up with the corrupt dictatorship of Mali. The working language of Mali is French despite their being 80 tribal languages spoken. The people still retain a mutual culture with France in terms of cultural understanding. It is easier for France to operate in Mali than the USA, i.e. less chance of cultural conflicts. Although some might say that the leader of the USA is a Bozo, the Bozo language is not widely spoken outside of the small tribal area. 🙃

Leave Mali's problems to sort out. They know the country and still have operatives on the ground and allies in the country. The USA has its hands full in the Gulf.

Quite a mouthful there but you did not answer my question at all.

That's obviously because you obviously don't even know what the JNIM is.

Have a wonderful evening.

6 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Quite a mouthful there but you did not answer my question at all.

That's obviously because you obviously don't even know what the JNIM is.

Have a wonderful evening.

I know what it is. There was no need to answer a leading question. JNIM are a terrorist entity and are already proscribed.

9 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Quite a mouthful there but you did not answer my question at all.

That's obviously because you obviously don't even know what the JNIM is.

Have a wonderful evening.

A question that is not up for discussion does not need to be answered.

4 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

I know what it is. There was no need to answer a leading question. JNIM are a terrorist entity and are already proscribed.

It's no good condemning one side but staying silent about the other.

By the way, the French do not have a particularly glowing history in Africa, either.

4 minutes ago, Schoggibueb said:

A question that is not up for discussion does not need to be answered.

If it's in the OP who are you to think you can dictate what's in the discussion?

KMA.

A low value post has been removed:

13. Low-Value Posts - Posts that add no written contribution are not allowed.

    This includes emoji-only replies, very short comments, memes, GIFs, screenshots, or embedded social media posts without explanation or opinion.

9 minutes ago, nauseus said:

If it's in the OP who are you to think you can dictate what's in the discussion?

KMA.

Has nothing to do with the OP.

I love you too 😘

2 minutes ago, Schoggibueb said:

Has nothing to do with the OP.

I love you too 😘

Try reading the first 3 lines again. Maybe more slowly this time.

x

49 minutes ago, nauseus said:

It's no good condemning one side but staying silent about the other.

By the way, the French do not have a particularly glowing history in Africa, either.

They may not glow, but they left a legacy of civil infrastructure, administrative strength, education and medical care. Colonial activities exploited and stole, but France has since sent back billions of Euros in aid and support since the end of its colonial era.

3 hours ago, papa al said:

Finally, China can impose some order there. They have the economic might the US only dreams of.

On the other hand, America must have an endless stash of taypayer money to burn--with the Joker's likeness--to pursue endless wars. Yanqs must be so proud. So worried about Iran, Yemen, Mali attacking America. What a relief!

1 minute ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Finally, China can impose some order there. They have the economic might the US only dreams of.

On the other hand, America must have an endless stash of taypayer money to burn--with the Joker's likeness--to pursue endless wars. Yanqs must be so proud. So worried about Iran, Yemen, Mali attacking America. What a relief!

Are you advocating for Chinese imperialism?

44 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

They may not glow, but they left a legacy of civil infrastructure, administrative strength, education and medical care. Colonial activities exploited and stole, but France has since sent back billions of Euros in aid and support since the end of its colonial era.

Hi praise indeed. Got a link?

15 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Finally, China can impose some order there. They have the economic might the US only dreams of.

On the other hand, America must have an endless stash of taypayer money to burn--with the Joker's likeness--to pursue endless wars. Yanqs must be so proud. So worried about Iran, Yemen, Mali attacking America. What a relief!

Economic might? Ah the true saviors of Timbktu.

1 hour ago, Mr Awesome said:

Are you advocating for Chinese imperialism?

he is not

just stating facts

4 hours ago, Mr Awesome said:

Are you advocating for Chinese imperialism?

Nope. Chinese industry and capital to make people's lives better in some of the world's poorest countries. I'm not all all saying it's not self-interest or China won't profit. Nobody else seems to be taking care of those people who are worth just as much as we.

8 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

No need to offer a dishonest propaganda lie as 'proof'. The 25 million people receive USD $1.5 billion of foreign aid from the west. Do you suppose this helps the financial picture?

The country is at the bottom of the dung heap. A slight improvement in GDP can be presented as a brilliant result because the starting point is so low. The economy is driven by mineral exploitation and agriculture. The growth has come at a tremendous cost to the environment and people. The gold mining has left toxic pollution. Perhaps you consider arsenic poisoning of groundwater a benefit. One drought, and the bumper harvest of the past year will fade away. Africa does have droughts. Meanwhile, civil unrest grows.

In terms of people, the US has disabled AID.