Rise in Al Qaeda sees Islamic rule enforced in West Africa

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Attacks by an al Qaeda-linked group across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger show its growing ambition and influence, according to analysts and security experts. The June 1 assault on a Mali military base was one of more than a dozen deadly attacks in the region by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in May and June. Data shows that more than 850 people were killed in May alone. Reuters verified the locations of the social media footage, but not the dates, although they align with JNIM's claims of responsibility. Experts say the mounting attacks reflect a strategic shift by the group from rural guerrilla tactics toward control of urban centers and assertion of political dominance in the Sahel region.