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As US Eyes Drawdown, Violence Rattles Sahel Region

Sirwan Kajjo

   WASHINGTON - Last year was the deadliest in recent history for
   extremist violence in the Sahel region of Africa. The trend appears to
   be continuing in 2020 and experts warn more must be done to avoid a
   crisis in the region.

   Last week, suspected Islamic extremists carried out attacks on two
   villages in Burkina Faso, killing at least 32 civilians.

   In neighboring Niger, terror attacks claimed by extremist fighters
   killed 89 people this month and 71 soldiers in December.

   In both countries and elsewhere in the Sahel region, insurgent and
   Islamist groups with links to al-Qaida and the Islamic State (IS)
   terror groups in recent months have increased their attacks against
   civilian and military targets.

   Rise in casualties

   U.N. officials say the number of casualties in the region has increased
   five times since 2016 with more than 4,000 victims in 2019."

   The region has experienced a devastating surge in terrorist attacks
   against civilian and military targets," Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the U.N.
   Special Representative and Head of the U.N. Office for West Africa and
   the Sahel, told the U.N. Security Council earlier this month.

   "Most significantly, the geographic focus of terrorist attacks has
   shifted eastwards from Mali to Burkina Faso and is increasingly
   threatening West African coastal states," he added.

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