Donald Trump risks direct military clash with Russian forces with new strikes on African jihadists

Donald Trump is considering fresh strikes on African jihadists which could risk a military clash with Russian mercenaries.

His administration is said to be weighing up military action in Mali to target the largest al-Qaeda-linked organisation in West Africa.

The strikes would target jihadists from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in the landlocked African nation, American officials told the Washington Post.

The group has established a stronghold in Mali and has expanded its attacks into other west African nations in recent years.

JNIM is described as one of the most powerful jihadist groups in the world and is the best-equipped terror organisation in the region.

White House officials are said to locked in debate over whether it would be wise to pursue military action in another country while the war in Iran continues to escalate.

Sebastian Gorka, the White House's counterterrorism chief, is one of the strongest advocates in the Trump administation for carrying out strikes, one US official said.

According to the insider, the US Government has been pushing for north and west African countries to "to purchase US equipment and services to support their war efforts against the terrorists".

Mr Trump is weighing up military action in Mali to target the largest al-Qaeda-linked organisation in West Africa

A former US official also said that the White House has been pushing to get “overflight” rights in Mali, which would allow the US to use surveillance technology in the country's airspace.

The nation has been plagued by war and poverty in recent years, with jihadist groups exploiting the instability to make territorial gains.

Following coups in 2020 and 2021, it is now governed by a military junta - but Islamic insurgency groups have thrived as they fail to control swathes of the country.

JNIM have made significant gains across the country, pushing into the country's Sahel region as it attempts to topple the Mali Government and establish an Islamist nation.

The West African nation has been plagued by war in poverty in recent years, with jihadist groups exploiting the instability

The military junta has called on Russian mercenaries - including combatants from the Wagner Group - to help crush jihadist insurgency and cling on to power.

Although Wagner announced its withdrawal last year, pockets of Russian fighters remain in the country.

Two weeks ago, a convoy carrying Malian soldiers and 200 Russian soldiers came under attack from separatist groups the northern town of Anefis.

“We hope that other African nations take note of Russia’s terrible performance in combating terrorism," a White House official told The Independent.

Another official said they hoped the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger - known as the Alliance of Sahel States - can "prevail" in the fight against Islamist insurgency.

“But the blame for the deteriorating security situation falls upon Russia who has proven to be an ineffective security partner for Mali," they added.

Should the US President give the green light for strikes in West Africa, it would mark the eight country the US has targeted with military action since Mr Trump returned to the White House.

Strikes in Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela have all been ordered by Mr Trump over the past 18 months.