The Iraqi National Intelligence Service made a surprising announcement yesterday that it busted an Islamic State financial network spanning three countries in West Africa. The network was helping to fund Islamic State activities in Iraq, as well as attack planning in Europe.
Turkey has steadily increased its foothold in the central Sahel by providing arms, security assistance, and more to regional juntas. Similarly, The Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), Al Qaeda’s branch for the Sahel and West Africa, is on its own upward trajectory, standing as one of the region’s most dominant violent actors. The jihadist group’s external messaging suggests it perceives Turkey to be an obstacle as it seeks to expand its territorial control and influence.