‎US warns ISIS expanding operations across West Africa

‎The United States has raised concerns over the growing presence of ISIS-linked groups in West Africa, warning that extremist organisations are increasingly shifting their operations to the region following setbacks in the Middle East.
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‎According to a newly released US counterterrorism strategy for 2026, regions including West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, Mozambique, Sudan, and Somalia have witnessed renewed terrorist activity as remnants of ISIS and affiliated groups relocate from Iraq and Syria.
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‎The document identified Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin as key areas of concern, noting that extremist groups are taking advantage of weak security systems and ungoverned territories to establish new operational bases.
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‎US authorities said their strategy in Africa would focus on preventing terrorist groups from building networks capable of threatening American interests and regional stability. Washington also pledged continued intelligence sharing and counterterrorism cooperation with African governments battling insurgencies linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates.
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‎The strategy further indicated that the US would maintain a limited military footprint on the continent while encouraging African nations to take greater responsibility for regional security operations.
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‎US officials argued that terrorist organisations in Africa pose a long-term threat if left unchecked, with analysts comparing the rise of extremist groups in the Sahel to the early expansion of ISIS in Iraq and Syria over a decade ago.
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‎The report also referenced recent counterterrorism cooperation between the US and Nigeria, including joint operations targeting ISIS militants in parts of northern Nigeria.