US⁤ Africa ⁣Command Warns of Growing Terror Threat

‍ Updated May 30, 2025

The head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) issued a warning Thursday about the increasing threat ‍of African ​terror networks and their potential reach to American ⁣soil. Gen. Michael langley highlighted the Sahel region as the new “epicenter of terrorism,” ​citing the rapid ⁢growth of jihadist groups.

Langley told reporters that​ the instability in the Sahel is a flashpoint.He added that officials are‌ closely monitoring the situation due to‌ the potential for these groups to develop the capacity to attack the U.S. homeland. The‍ expansion of terrorist groups across West Africa is a major concern for the U.S. military.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has tripled in size​ since 2022, now operating across Mali, Burkina Faso, ‍and Niger. Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM),another Al-Qaeda affiliate,has quadrupled in size,primarily in Burkina Faso. These groups are actively seeking access to West Africa’s coastline, a move that could enable them to diversify revenue streams through smuggling and​ trafficking, while also enhancing their operational reach.

Langley stated that access to the coastline⁢ would allow⁣ these groups⁣ to‍ diversify their revenue streams and evolve‍ their tactics, making it easier to export terrorism to American shores. In response to this growing ⁤threat, the U.S.has increased its counterterrorism ⁢operations. Over the weekend, American forces conducted an airstrike in Somalia ⁤against al-Shabab, another Al-Qaeda-linked group.

Langley emphasized that combating terrorism in Africa is not only ⁢a‌ matter of security but ⁤also of geopolitical strategy. China and Russia are aggressively moving to establish military partnerships and influence across the continent.⁤ He expressed concern about the increasing number‌ of African soldiers going to beijing for military training, saying they ​are ‌trying to replicate U.S. training⁢ programs.

He cautioned that Chinese and Russian efforts to⁢ build security alliances in Africa‌ could undermine U.S. influence and allow ​adversaries to gain ⁣a stronger foothold in a region already destabilized by‍ extremism. ‍Langley’s‍ remarks come ‌amid heightened urgency to stabilize regions like⁢ the Sahel, where​ years of violence, coups, and insurgency have weakened governments and created fertile ground ⁢for terror recruitment.‍ The‍ US military withdrew from Niger last year, complicating efforts to​ contain terrorist groups.

As AFRICOM works⁢ to re-establish partnerships and monitor‌ terror hotspots, Langley⁢ stressed that the fight to contain extremist threats​ in Africa is directly​ tied to the security of the United States. He said that this is a global problem, and action must be taken before these groups gain the power to strike far beyond ⁢the borders of the continent. The U.S. is ⁣focused on counterterrorism operations ‌and monitoring the influence of ⁣China and Russia in‍ the region.

What’s next

AFRICOM will continue to monitor terror group activity and work with international partners to counter the‌ growing threat of terrorism in Africa. Further efforts will focus on stabilizing the Sahel region and preventing terror groups ⁣from expanding their reach.