In 2016, Sophie Petronin, a French humanatarian worker was kidnapped for ransom by JNIM, an Islamist terrorist organization. The same group kidnapped Malian opposition politician Soumila Cisse in 2020. In return for Petronin and Soumila, this terror outfit received 10 million Euro in ransom with add-on like the release of 204 Islamist militants who killed thousands in the Sahel region of Africa.
The Islamist organization who carried out these high profile kidnappings is the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) , an affiliate of Al-Qaeda and the fastest growing terrorist organization in the World.
From logging of Kosso, an endangered Rosewood Tree, Timber Trafficking, Cattle Theft, Kidnapping to Massacres of Villages. JNIM is not just another Terror group, it is a Crime Syndicate that operates through terror throughout the Sahel region.
Some of the most violent attacks where JNIM militants were involved include the Barsalogho Massacre , August 24, 2024 (Burkina Faso) where hundreds of Civilians were killed while digging a military trench to protect the military base – Barsalogho. Solhan and Tadaryat Massacres – June 4–5, 2021 (Burkina Faso). Militants attacked the workers of a goldmine in Solhan and Civilians were killed in Tadaryat. Bamako Airport Attack in Mali where Mali’s training School and Airbase was attacked.
How was JNIM formed ?
In March 2017, four Jihadist groups in Sahel- Ansar Dine, Katibat Macina, al-Mourabitoun, and the Sahara branch of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) decided to merge their operations together and JNIM was born. Its origin and growth can be attributed to the ethnic divisions existing in the Sahel as JNIM positions itself as an unifying alliance .
As per reports, Leader of JNIM – Emir Iyad ag Ghaly, have his own story to tell. He was formerly a musician involved with a music band named “Radio of the Desert” in Africa. He drank whiskey and wrote lyrics until he met Tablighi Jamaat Preachers from Pakistan. This was the turning point of his life and the man who once found peace in music began to impose ban on it.
In 2012, JNIM militants under the leadership of Ghaly captured Timbuktu. Musical Instruments were set to fire. Sufi Shrines were destroyed. Adulterers were punished. In 2017 Ghaly unified four Al-Qaeda linked terror outfits into JNIM and declared himself the Emir.
JNIM as a political Entity
JNIM is not all terror and no organization like other terror outfits. JNIM uses terror to spread its operations in the Sahel. It has a definite method to achieve its political ambitions. It imposes a kind of Jihadist governance in the territory it captures. It gives options to Civilians to either chose its way of governance or relocate to non-Jihadist zones. Its pyramidal political structure consist of three levels- Shura Council leading the Upper Level making strategic decisions. Intermediate level which operates regionally and lower level for the field operations.
Ideology
JNIM has its ideological roots linked with the Al-Qaeda. It tries to establish radical Islamist ideology in its territories. A Salafi-jihadist group with ultra conservative views. It strictly forbids celebration of weddings and baptisms, prohibiting local customs. Its rule draw similarities with that of a Caliphate.
JNIM Network
Artisanal Gold mining and smuggling is the primary source of revenue for the JNIM. It operates strategically by putting pressure on the local population and extorting money. More than 2000 miners work directly under JNIM near the border of Burkina Faso, specifically in the N’Abaw gold basin, located south-west of Gao. It controls trade routes, take taxes in the name of Zakat.
JNIM is also deeply involved in cattle theft and smuggling. JNIM acts like a middleman for cattle disputes in its territories but instead of settling disputes, JNIM takes the cattle and smuggle them to other places. JNIM generated 440 million CFA Francs just from cattle thefts.
High-profile kidnapping is another major source of income for the terror group. It earned around 35 million dollars in its first year from its various networks where 40% was from the ransom that came following the kidnappings. Abductions are also used strategically by JNIM to spread its influence in the region by silencing dissents.
As per 2025 Global Terrorism Index, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) ranks among the top four terrorist groups responsible for maximum number of deaths in the world. In 2024 alone JNIM attacks led to the death of 1454 people which is a 46% increase.
JNIM attacks had the highest death rate with 10 deaths per attack. In 2024, Civilian victims of JNIM was 67%. Esacalation of terrorist attacks and the rise of Islamist Organizations have become the the major concern for the countries in the Sahel region as seen in Burkina Faso and Mali.
