Mali faces its most serious security crisis in years as al-Qaida-linked JNIM and separatist FLA rebels join forces.
Mali is currently experiencing its most significant security crisis in years as al-Qaida-linked militants from the JNIM and separatist rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) have formed a tactical partnership. This alliance has resulted in some of the largest attacks on Malian security forces and their partners in recent years, putting significant pressure on the ruling junta. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), fatalities from militant attacks increased by 35% in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The JNIM and FLA groups function as force multipliers for each other, targeting the Malian armed forces and Russia’s Africa Corps paramilitary group. The FLA, formed in 2024, seeks the independence of northern Mali, while the JNIM has progressively expanded its influence, becoming a de facto authority in areas where state institutions are limited. This partnership marks a shift in the conflict, as both groups aim to finish their common enemy, the Malian military and its Russian partners.