Planes and automobiles but no trains #HomewardBound

Coups, Convoys, Ecowas and More.

#RAF #UK busy on #Iceland #P8 #P8A #Poseidon #MPA #MaritimePatrolAircraft #UKDefenceJournal ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-mari...

Day for the high stool @ionacraig.com

A large force of JNIM fighters capturing a Security Forces vehicle during the ambush.

Finland has emerged as a global leader in countering “fake news”. Here's how they've done it

Elon Musk is on a quest to weaken and destroy state power in all Western democracies so he can expand his own corporate power, reach, and control over our societies.

Deescalation between UAE-backed STC and Saudi-backed National Shield along with the Yemeni government (IRG) appear to have come to a head. Saudi has closed Yemen’s airspace. Tensions are high. Saudi Task Force 802 troops have been withdrawing from many (not all) locations across Yemen since Saturday

Survey of GOP voters: nearly four in ten (37%) "believe the Holocaust was greatly exaggerated or did not happen as historians describe. Younger men are especially likely to hold this view (54% of men under 50 vs. 39% of women under 50)." www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2025/12/repu...

Except for the last decade or so he's been publishing absolute garbage - ‘He’s a son of a bitch – but he’s usually right’: why did Seymour Hersh quit the film about his earth-shattering exposés? www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...

#BurkinaFaso Local JNIM leader in the Bogandé area speaks to the people of Bogandé about the consequences of joining the Burkinabè VDP militia.

@thereccelizard.bsky.social I'm sure you have this one already. Russian Air Force An-124 (reg. RA-82037 | #154075) was tracked heading west through Burkina Faso Based on previous flights the destination is very likely Bamako It left from Al-Khadim Air Base earlier, after arriving Friday from Syria.

07.12 #Benin An attempted coup led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, has taken place. Tigri declared himself as president of the Military Committee for Refoundation on live TV along with a group of officers they announced that they had brought an end to Patrice Talon's regime.

06.12 #Niger The MPLJ have carried out another attack on oil facilities at the Agadem-Dibella site.

Map of kidnappings in Central Sahel and Coastal West Africa.

JNIM published footage of the ambush

06.12 #Mali JNIM issued a statement claiming the ambush of a fuel convoy near Bougouni. This follows the release of the final group of prisoners in the deal between the authorities and JNIM which expired of the 05.12.

"The Trump administration’s vision of American greatness is making the country poorer, weaker, and meaner. The new strategy document will do its own little bit to accelerate that process."

06.12 #Niger A Security Forces patrol was attacked by IS-SP near Ayorou, Tillabéri region. No casualties were reported.

04.12 #Niger Pro-government militia attacked the village of Sella Illimiki (14.47227° 0.74235°), south of Bankilaré clashing with local villagers broke out between the locals and the fighters, resulting in the death of one militiaman and one civilian.

#BurkinaFaso Security Forces reportedly killed a number of terrorists in the Gomboro area in a recent operation, recovering a number of weapons and IED's

05.12 #BurkinaFaso JNIM issued a statement claiming to have seized 02 VDP militia positions in Koura.

#Benin #Niger #Nigeria JNIM and IS-SP expansion in the borderlands. (@julesduhamel.bsky.social )

04.12 #Niger Elements of the MB Trans convoy transporting the yellow cake from Arlit to Lomé arrived in Niamey in the evening. It's expected that other vehicles seeking to take advantage of the Russian / Security Forces escort will join the convoy when it recommences the journey in a couple of days

JNIM have released a new video from a training camp in #BurkinaFaso

04.12 #Niger 02 school principals from the Education Inspectorate in Fillingué, Tillabéri region, were murdered by unidentified gunmen (possibly IS-SP) ON their way to the FCC General Assembly.

#Niger 19.11 Togo signed a military cooperation agreement with Russia which gives access to its ports. The TM MATROS SHEVCHENKO (IMO 9574195) is currently docked in Lomé. The SHEVCHENKO is part of the Russian fleet which has transported stolen Ukrainian grain to countries such as Iran (2023)

Geopolitics of Drones www.postfactum.co.uk/drones-geopo...

#Mali Etienne Sissoko officially announced the creation of a new opposition group aiming to restore constitutional rule in Mali "The Coalition of Forces for the Republic" (CFR) calls for an end to violence, media repression and a return to democracy.

#Mali Imam Mahmoud Dicko has officially (a first) given his agreement to become a member of a coalition of Malian opponents based outside and inside Mali. The objective of the coalition: The return to constitutional order. - Serge Daniel (journalist)

#Nigeria The US Air Force is carrying out more flights over Sokoto State and areas with an IS-Sahel presence in the Tangaza area for a 2nd day in a row.

➡️ @pressfreedom.bsky.social spoke to three journalists who were taken on Israeli military-escorted visits to Gaza since the October 2025 ceasefire. They all said they couldn’t speak to civilians. “This was not journalistic work — it was theater.”

You absolutely fucking love to see it. It’s incredible how much integrity and solidarity Greta has shown. In a world full of spineless quislings and grifters, she’s really a hero.

@ionacraig.com Thanks for the follow back! We met briefly many years ago in Sana'a. Pints in the Glandore Inn if you're back in Ireland sometime.

04.12 #BurkinaFaso JNIM has issued a statement claiming to have seized to a VDP militia post between Barsalogho and Kaya.

I have a story pretty well half written about this is anyone knows an outlet that still pays freelancers

Fuel crisis threatens security and stability in the Sahel A good round-up on the current security situation in the Sahel based on interviews with @simnasr.bsky.social @cagataycebe.bsky.social and myself (by @anadoluajansicom.bsky.social) www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/sah...

03.12 #Mali JNIM has issued a claim that they carried out an attack on a Security Forces near Djenne in the Mopti area.

04.12 #Tunisia Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, President of the National Salvation Front was arrested at his home after the final verdict in the "conspiracy against state security” case, which sentenced him to 12 years in prison and 5 years of administrative probation.

04.12 #Benin Another flight today, CAE Aviation Beech King Air 350 flying over the Pendjari National Park area of Benin along the Burkinabe border which is a centre for JNIM activity.

Since the US President's "Guns A Blazing" post on social media there has been an uptick in US ISR flights over Nigeria. It now won't be surprising to see strikes will be carried out in areas such as Lake Chad Basin / Borno State (most likely in my opinion), Soko, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states.

A rude awakening for residents of Seiyun this morning. The UAE-backed STC forces that travelled up the country through Hadhramout yesterday, this morning began their fight to take control of the long-coveted First Military Zone from the Yemeni government (and Saudi-backed) army.

The enduring legacy of Vauban, the Citadelle in Lille, the Vauban inspired Charles Fort at Kinsale, Ireland and the French military FOB's in the Sahel.

New Bellingcat Investigation Mali Under Siege: Tracking the Fuel Blockade Crippling Bamako www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/12...

03.12 #BurkinaFaso Video reportedly from the aftermath of JNIM's attack on the village of Tiantiaka (12°10'12.5"N 0°07'33.5"E) in the Tibga commune, 10 civilians were killed.

03.12 #BurkinaFaso JNIM issued a statement claiming to have taken control of a VDP militia post at Dougouri (13°44'03.4"N 2°03'26.4"W), Loroum province.

#Mali According to independent Russian online media The Insider, the Malian government was then paying nearly 9 million euros per month to Russian authorities for the deployment of 2000 mercenaries involved in training of Security Forces & other activities.