Spanish Tourist Kidnapped in Southern Algeria
Reliable sources have confirmed that a Spanish tourist was abducted in southern Algeria on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Reports indicate that the perpetrators are linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). The kidnappers reportedly released other individuals who were accompanying the Spanish woman near the Algerian border before taking her across into Mali.
This incident comes shortly after the abduction of Austrian national Eva Grezmatcher in Agadez, Niger, also attributed to ISGS. Known for its violent tactics, the group remains highly active in the Tahoua and Agadez regions, staging frequent attacks.
In contrast, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), previously notorious for targeting Western nationals, appears to have shifted its focus, potentially adopting alternative strategies rather than kidnapping foreigners.
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Strategic Interdiction of Fuel Supply Lines and Hostage Leverage by JNIM
On the morning of 29 January 2026, Mali experienced one of the most consequential jihadist operations of recent months, not due to its symbolic value, but because of its systemic strategic impact. A large fuel convoy originating from Senegal and transiting through western Mali along the Diboli–Kayes corridor was ambushed and neutralized by an estimated 100 fighters affiliated with Katiba Macina, a core component of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
Niamey Airport Attack: Islamic State Claims Responsibility
Less than 48 hours after the assault on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on 29 January 2026, the IS-Sahel formally claimed responsibility. ASA assesses this confirms the attack was not an isolated security breach, but a deliberate, high-value operation aimed at Niger’s military and strategic infrastructure.
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