Sahel armed groups increase use of drones for surveillance and attacks

Armed groups in the Sahel region, specifically in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, are increasingly utilizing drones for surveillance and attacks. These relatively inexpensive unmanned aircraft are being acquired through the black market, allowing fighters to monitor military positions and barracks before launching operations.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates a sharp rise in armed group activity in these countries, growing from 63 incidents in 2016 to 2,845 in 2025. The Al Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has emerged as a significant user, conducting over 80 drone-related attacks in 2025.

In response, Nigerien authorities are discussing countermeasures, and Russian partners are reportedly providing training to help counter these aerial threats.