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North Africa and the Sahel

Stories under this heading cover North Africa and the Sahel. North Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. It stretches from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania to Egypt's Suez Canal and the Red Sea. The Sahel spans from the eastern shores of the African continent, starting from Sudan and continuing up to the Atlantic shores of Mauritania and Senegal.

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Report speaks of resurgence of Al Qaida and ISIS in Sahel and Syria
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Report speaks of resurgence of Al Qaida and ISIS in Sahel and Syria

1 August 2025
A new UN expert report to the Security Council released Wednesday (30 July) highlights the escalating threat posed by Islamic State (ISIS) and al‑Qaida affiliates across Africa, with risks also rising in Syria. The report claims that Africa has now become the centre of extremist activity as groups exploit weakened governance and regional instability. In Syria, the post‑Assad transition remains volatile. The report warns that both ISIS and al‑Qaida perceive Syria as a strategic base for international operations. Over 5,000 foreign fighters are believed to have participated in the December 2024 offensive in Damascus, raising fears of ideological spread and extremist infiltration across borders. The report also notes the dangers of online radicalisation. Groups such as ISIS continue to radicalise individuals and orchestrate attacks in Europe, America and beyond via secure messaging networks.

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More than a hundred people killed in Islamist violence in Niger
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More than a hundred people killed in Islamist violence in Niger

4 January 2021
It was one of the deadliest days in Niger's living memory, as the country grapples with ethnic violence and Islamic militancy. According to local mayor Almou Hassane, those responsible travelled on "about 100 motorcycles". In seperate incidents five French soldiers were killed last week in neighbouring Mali
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Al-Azhar proscribes membership in the Muslim Brotherhood
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Al-Azhar proscribes membership in the Muslim Brotherhood

21 December 2020
“It is clear to the public what these groups have done in distorting some texts, cutting them out of their context, and using them to achieve personal goals or interests and corrupting the land,” al-Azhar said in a fatwa. “Membership in these extremist groups is considered forbidden by Shariah.”
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