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Sahel Violence Linked to Al-Qaida and IS Nears Record Levels

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  Sahel Violence Linked to Al-Qaida and IS Nears Record Levels Three armed al-Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2008 – the al-Qaida-linked group is one of Africa’s deadliest. Photograph: Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP Violence involving groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State in Africa’s Sahel region is on course to reach record levels in 2026, according to data compiled by conflict monitor ACLED. The trend highlights how Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have become a major center of militant violence. Read the original Guardian report . ACLED recorded 63 violent events involving jihadist groups across the three countries in 2016, rising to 2,845 in 2025. With 2,145 events already logged in 2026, the annual total could exceed 3,000 if current patterns continue. Source: The Guardian . The Global Peace Index reported that terrorism has become increasingly concentrated in the Sahel. The report cited more than 9,000 deaths from security incidents across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in...
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Egypt’s Growing Role in Sudan’s War: SAF, Drones and Nile Politics

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  Egypt’s Role in Influencing and Potentially Prolonging the Sudan Crisis Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) shakes hands with Sudan's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo on 18 December 2025.   Sudan’s war has increasingly become more than a domestic confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Regional powers have developed competing interests in the conflict, and Egypt occupies a particularly important position because of its border with Sudan, longstanding military relationship with the SAF and shared strategic concerns over the Nile. EUAA analysis of international actors in Sudan Egypt has consistently presented its Sudan policy as one focused on preserving Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state institutions. Cairo has also repeatedly called for a ceasefire and an end to the bloodshed. But Egypt’s close political relationship with SAF commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, combined with reports ...
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Sudan Chemical Weapons Claims Under Scrutiny

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  Sudan: Chemical Weapons Allegations Raise European Security Concerns Sudan’s war is facing renewed international scrutiny following a new Eurasia Review analysis alleging the use of chlorine-based chemical weapons by elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), alongside the growing role of Islamist formations and alleged connections to Iranian networks. The analysis cites a leaked dossier containing around 150 documents, diagrams, messages and videos. Read the original Eurasia Review analysis . ( eurasiareview.com ) The chemical-weapons allegations require particular attention because they come against an already established record of international concern. In May 2025, the United States said it had determined that Sudan’s government used chemical weapons during 2024 and imposed sanctions, while Sudan rejected the accusation. This earlier U.S. determination provides important context, although the precise circumstances and responsibility for individual alleged attacks still req...
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Egypt and Sudan: The Regional Power Behind the War?

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  Egypt and Sudan: The Regional Power Behind the War? A handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) receiving the President of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in El Alamein on Egypt.   Sudan's war has become one of Africa's most internationalized conflicts. What began in April 2023 as a struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has developed into a wider regional crisis involving weapons networks, neighbouring states, foreign military technology and competing diplomatic initiatives. A September 2026 UN investigation found that foreign military support, including advanced drones and personnel, is helping sustain the conflict and contributing to civilian suffering. UN findings reported by Reuters Among Sudan's neighbours, Egypt occupies a particularly important position. Cairo shares a long border with Sudan, has longstanding m...
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Sudan Arms Embargo: Why the U.S. Wants a Nationwide Ban

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  Sudan Arms Embargo: Why the U.S. Wants a Nationwide Ban Observers say weaponry is getting more sophisticated on both sides of the conflict in Sudan [FILE: Aug 30, 2023]  Sudan’s war is entering another major diplomatic phase as the United States pushes the United Nations Security Council to expand the country’s existing arms embargo beyond Darfur. In a September 3 article for Foreign Policy , U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz and senior adviser Massad Boulos argued that the current Darfur-only restrictions no longer match the reality of the conflict. The proposal comes as Sudan’s fighting has expanded geographically and the use of drones and other advanced military technology has become increasingly important. The National reports that Washington wants the embargo to cover all of Sudan, while explicitly addressing drones and related systems and technology. From Darfur to All of Sudan The existing UN arms embargo was imposed in 2005 through Security Council Resoluti...
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