The JNIM is a merger of Ansar Dine, Katiba Macina, al-Mourabitoun and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Ag Ghaly renewed his allegiance to Abdelmalek Droukdel, emir of AQIM; Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda leader; and Taliban leader, Mullâ Hibatullâh. On 19 March, al-Qaeda Central issued an official statement congratulating the new group. The most likely scenario is a continuation of localised attacks in northern and central Mali, as well as in border regions. Judging from recent operations in Central Mali, FAMA seems to be increasingly effective - at least from an operational point of view.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 03, 2017 15:56 UTC