Al Qaeda Is on the Brink of Taking Over a Country

[velik_m]

Al Qaeda Is on the Brink of Taking Over a Country

Al Qaeda militants are moving closer to seizing the capital of the West African nation of Mali, which, should the city fall, would become the first country in the world run by the U.S.-designated terrorist group.

The rapid advance of the jihadists in Africa comes after Islamist groups took power in both Afghanistan and Syria, but, if they take Bamako, it would be the first time militants with direct and current connections to al Qaeda achieve such a feat.

They appear to be getting close, though they will likely wait some time before making any decisive move, security specialists say. Insurgents are blocking food and fuel deliveries to Bamako, the capital city, triggering shortages that are even hindering the army’s ability to respond, according to local and European officials and footage posted by the jihadists.
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The Malian military, worried about the growing threat, overthrew the country’s civilian government in 2020, then ousted its own commander in 2021. The coups were followed by similar military putsches in Burkina Faso and Niger.

The current Malian junta expelled a French-led force and hired Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, but they, too, failed to quell the violence.

Instead, the Kremlin’s guns-for-hire and their Malian allies embarked on a campaign of widespread reprisals that drove many locals to join al Qaeda or at least seek its protection, say human-rights activists and local community leaders.
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Earlier this year, the Russian military sent a new contingent of fighters under its direct control, but they lacked the experience to fight effectively in Mali’s rough terrain. The militants easily ambushed their joint convoys with Malian forces, allowing the insurgents to seize more weapons and lay plans to seize the capital.

The junta has sought further help from Russia. Last week, a visiting Russian delegation promised to ship up to 200,000 tons of oil and food.

The U.S., meanwhile, said it was evacuating some diplomats from its embassy and urged American citizens to leave the country immediately.

In July, Rudolph Atallah, a Trump administration counterterrorism adviser, visited Mali to offer American assistance. He didn’t return a request for comment.

Erik Prince, the well-connected American defense contractor, is in contact with the junta to provide assistance, according to people familiar with the approach.
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https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/al-...untry-ffd35ea4

[Winehole23]

Erik Prince, huh