Anefis. Watched, monitored, bombed and as seen, with Russian and Mali army soldiers in attention, in a wake of inevitable approaching. Situation is completely hopeless at this point. JNIM and FLA are coming.

Anefis. Watched, monitored, bombed and as seen, with Russian and Mali army soldiers in attention, in a wake of inevitable approaching. Situation is completely hopeless at this point. JNIM and FLA are coming.

According to several reports, Gao convoy is regrouping in another location after brief withdrawal, with FLA and JNIM pursuing them. Tonight there should be a third battle. Russian gambit at Anefis yesterday may be the start of a comprehensive doom tommorow.

No escape for the Russian servicemen involved. We are waiting for news from heavily bombarded Anefis. There are rumors that Islamic State may be amassing forces again, looking for similar breach that allowed them to briefly seize Menaka and Labbezanga on April 25.

The Tuaregs from FLA have shot down a Russian helicopters during the battle against the Gao convoy in the past few hours. First confirmed visuals, there will likely be more if Anefis is cleared. Looks like tonight victory shifts towards the rebel coalition. #Mali

UPDATE: FLA claims to have repelled the Russian military convoy from Gao, in statement saying it has suffered major losess before withdrawing. If true, then JNIM and FLA will be aiming to massacre the Russians holed up in Anefis. Next hours key for Mali's future.

Two battles are ongoing, both of incredible but underestimated importance - first, with the FLA/JNIM coalition pushing to annihilate and finish off the Russian military camp in Anefis, the second, with a Gao convoy fhat has reportedly already lost several vehicles...

After the night, situation in northern Mali is clear - Anefis is in the hands of the rebel coalition, Russians and Malians are barricaded in the military camp. However, this time as opposed to April 25,gov side will stay and try to fight. On the way is a Russian convoy from Gao.

Russians may have lost a few helicopters today (rumors involve also a SU downing), a claim that needs verification, but seems that one was indeed shot down during the attempted evacuation of wounded Russian soldiers in Anefis. Chaos continues, so difficult to ascertain. #Mali

Judging from new videos, it should be safe to say that JNIM/FLA coalition won the battle of Anefis, with multiple vehicles rolling in unopposed.

According to FLA, the battle in Anefis continues, but is on the verge of being won, which if proven right, will mark a success of the operation. It seems that Anefis is indeed the highlight of the second round, though other battles or Inghimasi ops shouldn't be underestimated.

There are rumors of Anefis parts being taken by the Tuaregs, which would severely undermine the Russian positions in other locations nearby. Losing this part of the north, that was conquered and maintained by using massive flood of resources to keep the Tuaregs and JNIM out...

Second round begins today (!). Coordinated attacks in Gao, Anefis, Aguelhok, Sevare, reports of attacks in cities surrounding Bamako (this part still in the rumors). FLA and JNIM are coming for Russia and Mali in the North. #Mali.

US withdraws troops from Nigeria after Islamic State mission www.bbc.com/news/article...

HRW in its latest reports documents multiple abuses conducted by all parties in Mali, Malian army, Dozo militias, JNIM. Russia wasn't included likely because the report was written prior to last atrocity. www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

There are new rumors and videos, showing the result of a pogrom of Fulanis and Tuaregs in the capital of Bamako, Mali. It has occured in recent years a few times, but now it's a monthly occurance. If the new video is verified, they were burnt and then...eaten on the streets.

Islamic State confirms that one of the largest battles in the Sahel this year indeed took place a week ago. IS claims to have killed over 70 Nigerien soldiers, destroyed 22 vehicles and seized 24 operational. #Niger

Mali: The army and the Russian Africa Corps draw a swastika with a dismembered corpse near Timbuktu www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/2...

First in two years designations of Islamic State operatives have just been announced by the US Department of Treasury. Jihadists based in France, Turkey, Dutch national based in Syria and ISWAP jihadi based in Nigeria have been identified as owners of money exchange services...

Highly likely what occured in the early morning hours in Niamey was another Islamic State attack, almost half a year after the unprecedented storming of military airport.Same airport, the scale though looks smaller today.The fact that it's now regularly happening is grim. #Niger

Two Islamic State Sahel attacks of note today - against the Nigerien army and the self-defense militias in Tillabéri alongside an actual SVBIED used in battle, and another in Nigeria against al-Qaeda, though the latter remains more in rumors than the former.

Islamic State decided to claim the attack on security forces HQ in Raqqa city. They also provide the same numbers Syrian MOI and Reuters said earlier, *4 dead and wounded*, which fits to 1 killed and three wounded. #Syria

Islamic State suicide bombers allegedly attacked Damascus security forces in Raqqa city, first in a while attack of this caliber. For now no word of exact casualties. #Syria

I remember how Obama's talks with Iran were one of the key messages that elevated Trump to his first term. Fast forward a decade, nobody from MAGA side bats an eye on the circus that is emerging like 100 times worse than Obama's cowardice produced. One can only laugh.

Take a look at my latest analysis for Jamestown in which I depict the brutal war between two jihadi behemoths in the Sahel. Their war encompasses at least 5 countries in West Africa. JNIM Escalates Sahelian Offensives Amid Fratricidal War with Islamic State Sahel. jamestown.org/jnim-escalat...

In my latest for @WarFrontsWeekly I explain that the newest crisis on the streets of Mogadishu is another chapter in the breakdown between central government, regions and the fight for influence with President Mahmud attempting to wrest control over Somalia back from clans fronts.co/article/soma...

In my latest for @WarFrontsWeekly I explain that the newest crisis on the streets of Mogadishu is another chapter in the breakdown between central government, regions and the fight for influence with President Mahmud attempting to wrest control over Somalia back from clans fronts.co/article/soma...

Take a look at my latest analysis for Jamestown in which I depict the brutal war between two jihadi behemoths in the Sahel. Their war encompasses at least 5 countries in West Africa. JNIM Escalates Sahelian Offensives Amid Fratricidal War with Islamic State Sahel. jamestown.org/jnim-escalat...

The single most humiliating event of Russian campaign in Africa, going way beyond Tinzawaten 2024 disaster. Withdrawal of hundreds of Russian soldiers from Kidal on April 25/26, witnessed by massive al-Qaeda contingent and taunted on the way. No going back from this one. #Mali

In an unprecedented statement (also in French),JNIM (al-Qaeda in the Sahel) inspired by US Department of State's Rewards for Justice announces massive rewards for assassination or exposing the location of major Malian junta figures. Assimi Goita is worth 2 million of Euro. #Mali

Major development - for the first time, Islamic State claims attacks in Nigerian North-West on behalf of Islamic State Sahel, with multiple clashes against the Nigeria army reported from Kebbi and Sokoto provinces. #Nigeria

My latest for @WarFrontsWeekly analyses the depths of what happened over a week ago in Nigeria, where the US and Nigerian forces targeted a key Islamic State operative Mainuki (paywalled). fronts.co/article/us-m...

In what has become a sad standard since January 2025 (though in truth was looming in stages since 2022), JNIM informs on its forces capturing two Beninese military barracks near Burkina border yesterday. The group is sure to provide details later, including a death toll. #Benin

My latest for @WarFrontsWeekly analyses the depths of what happened over a week ago in Nigeria, where the US and Nigerian forces targeted a key Islamic State operative Mainuki (paywalled). fronts.co/article/us-m...

My thoughts on the recent crisis in Somalia, with political chess threatening the cohesion of State. I explain the shuffle of 4.5 system, Jubaland/Puntland hostility to centralisation, SSC-Khaatumo appearance, Shabaab/IS, regional proxies in play. fronts.co/article/soma...

An hour ago, Trump announced the killing of "Abu Bilal al-Minuki", who he said was hiding in Africa, as a second in global Islamic State command, in an operation conducted by US and Nigeria forces. Since early 2025, the most important assassination of an IS global operative. 🧵

In new Naba Islamic State boasts of several theaters, though noticeably pretends to ignore events in Nigeria and massive joint Nigeria-US campaign against ISWAP. Here for example, ISPP/ISKP's new campaign of assassinations of religious figures/politicians/police in #Pakistan

This past week (and beyond), Niger gets mass hits by both the Islamic State Sahel that has been under media shutdown since April 25, and JNIM, making incursions deep into the country. Eyes on Niger, since the huge volume of Turkish air supplies suggest battles are coming. #Niger

New AFRICOM recording of strikes on Islamic State West Africa Province militants has just been released, with three IS jihadists seen bombed yesterday. Unspecified location in NE of Nigeria. #Nigeria

AFRICOM releases a recording of the operation to kill Mainuki and other unspecified Islamic State commanders.The location seems to have been Lake Chad, we will likely know more in several days. The op itself included drones/helicopters,and a likely ground component too. #Nigeria

An hour ago, Trump announced the killing of "Abu Bilal al-Minuki", who he said was hiding in Africa, as a second in global Islamic State command, in an operation conducted by US and Nigeria forces. Since early 2025, the most important assassination of an IS global operative. 🧵

Slowly gathering my wits to record that video on the Sahel, with main discussion being April 25 and Kidal's seizure consequences, but as it's usual, it will go way beyond that since I like to talk. So, if anyone wants to know something, ask questions below, will try to answer

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia launched covert attacks on Iran as regional war widened, sources say www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Two months later - Wall Street Journal publishes a report on, indeed, Israeli Special Forces in Iraq,and their forward base there for ops in Iran. At some points, a shepperd discovered it by accident and the base was defended by airstrikes before approaching Iraqi forces. www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Answered a few questions regarding Mali for L'opinion. JNIM and FLA plans, differences, war on Mali and beyond, Islamic State. www.lopinion.fr/internationa...

Tuaregs enter Tessalit, after another Russian withdrawal from a key base location. A week after, the situation remains volatile, JNIM/FLA consolidated their gans. Eyes on Timbuktu. Blockade around Bamako. Russians stay. War continues in Burkina Faso and Niger. Thread tommorow.

According to Reuters, the Islamic State entered Menaka. Not clear in what exact capacity and if they intend to seize it permanently. But ISGS is inside. And that's already the biggest Islamic State success for many years. The have been besieging the city for 3 years. www.reuters.com/world/mali-m...

Islamic State is finally visible on the map, quickly moving between JNIM and FAMA/Russia agreements. Not much info for now, but there was simply no way they would stay put while their all rivals shuffle territory. And it seems, Tessalit/Labbezanga is where IS appeared.

It's clear that there are tensions in Bamako big enough for some clashes to appear, amid arrests and counter arrests of faction. Not clear the exact picture, there likely isn't a coup happening (for now), but... JNIM and FLA caused a complete and glaringly obv in Bamako mayhem.

I am trying to not go out of my way to declare something, but it seems that yesterday + Kidal's and now rumored other towns nearby with Russian withdrawal, may have hit junta way harder than anyone expected. Psychological damage is enormous and it makes people panic.We will see.