us weighs options for fight against malian extremist group

the administration of president donald trump is examining the possibility of leading a military intervention by american forces in western africa, according to several american officials.

sebastian gorka, a senior national security official, has been quoted as supporting such an action, citing concerns about the threat posed by groups like jnim, affiliated with al-qaeda and active in the malian region.

a senior administration official said that Washington is urging african nations to acquire military equipment and services from the united states to bolster their counter-terrorism efforts.

the official described terrorism in the Sahel as a ‘transnational threat’ and called on regional partners and NATO allies to support the alliance of states of the Sahel in its fight against groups like jnim and isis.

‘the situation in Mali is a result of a failure of cooperation with Russia,’ the official said, adding that other african countries should take note of this lesson.

the pentagon declined to comment on the reports, while the state department reiterated its condemnation of terrorist activities in the region.

jnim has been listed since 2018 as a foreign terrorist organization by the united states.