Africa in focus: US and allies assess global campaign against ISIS

NATO leaders met in Brussels this week to discuss the growing threat posed by the terror group, especially in Africa, Reuters reports. The meeting marks ten years since the launch of the U.S.-led mission against ISIS. Despite territorial defeats in Iraq and Syria, ISIS-linked jihadist groups have caused widespread violence, killing thousands and displacing millions across the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. U.S. officials are particularly concerned about the threat spreading to coastal West Africa, including countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast. 

The situation has become more complex after Niger expelled U.S. troops this year, disrupting counterterrorism operations. Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to end its military mission in Iraq by 2025, raising concerns about ongoing efforts to contain ISIS in the region. With rising instability in Africa, experts say ISIS is deliberately diversifying its leadership and combat power to expand its influence. The growing threat underscores the need for continued international focus and cooperation in the fight against terrorism.