The Trump administration is weighing the possibility of a direct military intervention against the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked group operating in Mali, following internal discussions among senior officials.

While the proposal has sparked debate within the administration, voices such as Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, are pushing for decisive military measures to curb the group’s influence.

A senior White House official, when questioned about these deliberations, neither confirmed nor denied the likelihood of targeted strikes against JNIM. However, the official emphasized Washington’s commitment to bolstering regional military capabilities by facilitating the acquisition of American defense equipment and services for North and West African nations.

The official described Sahel-based terrorism as a cross-border menace, urging regional partners and NATO allies to rally behind the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in its fight against both JNIM and the Islamic State group. He went on to criticize Russia’s security cooperation efforts in Mali, labeling them ineffective in combating terrorism and framing the deteriorating security situation as a cautionary tale for other African nations.

The Pentagon has refrained from commenting on the matter, while the State Department has reiterated its unwavering condemnation of terrorist activities in Mali.

JNIM, recognized as the dominant Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist coalition in the Sahel, has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States since 2018.