Such a show of force on the part of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) is unprecedented.
After the death of the "caliph" of the Islamic State Abu al Hassan al-Hachimi al-Qurachi, announced on November 30 in the Iraqi-Syrian zone, the many groups affiliated with Daesh pledged allegiance to his successor, Abu al-Hussein al -Husseini al-Qurachi.
Responding to the call of the IS spokesman, six different Islamic State “
provinces
” in Africa, from Nigeria to Mozambique, staged the proclamation of allegiance.
Among them, the Sahelian section, erected in "
province
" last March.
In the photos posted on Telegram by the organization on December 1, we can see hundreds of jihadists riding light motorcycles, armed with Kalashnikovs, accompanied by 4x4s hoisting the black flag with the seal of Muhammad, standard of Daesh.
"
No-fly zone
"
for jihadists
What to draw from these images disclosed by the organization?
According to experts, the scenes take place in the south of Ménaka as well as in the so-called “
three borders
” area, between Burkina, Niger and Mali.
Visible weapons are essentially AK-47 assault rifles and AA52 machine guns.
“
We also see a few 12.7 and 14.5mm cannons, ZU-23 double-barreled machine guns, RPG7 type rocket launchers.
Basic armament”,
analyzes Wassim Nasr, journalist at France 24 and author of
Islamic State, the accomplished fact
(Plon editions, 2016).
Where does this arsenal come from?
Quite simply “
spoils of war
”, amassed “
according to battles against local armies and rival factions, whether Tuareg or linked to Al-Qaeda
”, continues the expert.
In the region of the "
three borders
", the jihadists of the Islamic State and those affiliated with al-Qaeda are engaged in fierce clashes, which have multiplied in recent months thanks to the departure of French forces.
“
Observers were aware that the EIGS had recovered significant arsenals over the years.
What is unprecedented is the possibility of such gatherings, without hindrance, without fear of any strike
,” notes Wassim Nasr
.
An impunity that did not exist when the Barkhane force, supported by Reaper drones, monitored the area and kept strike power.
By accelerating the departure of the French forces, "
the junta in Bamako succeeded in creating a de facto no-fly zone for the jihadists, which facilitates communication between regions, the holding of meetings of commanders, the transfer of men and large gatherings like these
,” says the researcher.
Pick-ups are visible, some taken from other armed groups or the Malian armed forces.
Islamic state
Jihadists riding their motorbikes in the “three borders” area.
Islamic state
communication operation
Another major element, the length of the columns as far as the eye can see, which testifies to a significant numerical strength.
"
This number of fighters is impressive, especially coming from the EIGS which has long had the reputation of a small mobile and powerful group
", confirms Djallil Lounnas, associate professor of international relations at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco and specialist in terrorism in the Sahel: "
It's a show of force.
With these images, the EIGS now appears to be reinforced in number, while maintaining the mobility that has always been its strength, with light weapons, vehicles and motorcycles
”.
The communication operation was well run.
Proof of this is the delay of a month and a half between the death of the former caliph, which occurred in mid-October, and the publication of allegiances.
“
This latency time corresponds to the media time for IS,
explains Wassim Nasr
.
While some areas, such as the Middle East, are easily accessible, communications in the Sahelian region are more complex.
But everything is very centralized within Daesh.
The organization has undoubtedly left time for each group to transmit the images, to disseminate them in a short period of time and massively.
For sure, the videos will come soon
”, augurs the researcher.