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The evolving landscape of warfare in West Africa is witnessing a significant transformation as jihadist factions increasingly deploy drones in their operations. Reports indicate that al-Qaeda affiliates in regions like Burkina Faso and Mali have conducted at least 69 drone strikes since the beginning of 2023. Meanwhile, two factions affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) have executed approximately 20 drone assaults, predominantly within Nigeria, a nation grappling with insurgency for nearly a quarter of a century. The recent escalation of these tactics is raising alarms among security analysts and regional governments.
Escalating Drone Usage in Conflict Zones
The latest recorded drone strike occurred on 29 January in Borno state, Nigeria, where the Islamic State of West Africa Province (Iswap) executed a coordinated attack using both drones and ground forces against a military installation. This assault resulted in the deaths of nine soldiers, marking a troubling trend in the jihadists’ operational capabilities. Analysts from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (Acled) have highlighted that Iswap is one of the most active IS affiliates in drone warfare, showcasing their increasing reliance on technology to enhance their military effectiveness.
Drones employed by these groups are often commercially available quadcopters rigged with explosives, which are used not only for offensive operations but also for reconnaissance missions. Malik Samuel, a senior researcher at the Good Governance Africa think-tank, emphasized that despite stringent government regulations surrounding drone imports in Nigeria, jihadist groups have been able to procure these devices through smuggling networks that exploit the region’s porous borders.
Strategic Implications of Drone Warfare
The shift towards drone warfare represents a significant evolution in the tactics employed by jihadist groups. Audu Bulama Bukarti, a security analyst, noted that drones facilitate lower-cost attacks, allow for intelligence gathering with minimal risk, and enable strikes on military targets that may have previously been difficult to reach. In 2024 alone, Iswap has reportedly conducted 10 drone strikes across northeastern Nigeria and into neighbouring Cameroon, Niger, and Chad—all areas deeply affected by the ongoing insurgency.
Another IS affiliate, the Islamic State of Sahel Province (ISSP), mirrored this growth with a recent attack on the international airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, resulting in injuries to military personnel and the elimination of 20 assailants. While reports varied on the specifics of the weaponry used, there are indications that drones played a role, marking a potential first for the ISSP in employing explosive-laden drones in Niger.
Al-Qaeda’s Dominance in Drone Operations
Among jihadist factions, the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) stands out as the most prolific user of drone technology in West Africa. Acled reports indicate that JNIM has executed 69 drone strikes primarily in Mali and Burkina Faso, with an expanding operational footprint across interconnected networks in these nations. Notably, the group has begun employing first-person view (FPV) drones capable of delivering precise strikes, an advance that underscores the escalating sophistication of their military capabilities.
Samuel highlighted that the evolution of drone tactics among these jihadist groups is influenced by foreign fighters, who have shared knowledge and techniques for adapting readily available drones into effective weapons. This adaptation not only enhances the jihadists’ operational effectiveness but also reduces their risk of casualties during engagements.
The Need for Proactive Measures
The implications of this shift towards drone warfare are profound. Analysts warn that if left unaddressed, the increasing capabilities of jihadist groups could lead to more high-impact assaults, further destabilising an already volatile region. A report by Taiwo Adebayo from the Institute for Security Studies urged West African nations to implement preemptive strikes to dismantle drone assembly and launching sites and to invest in counter-drone technologies, including jamming devices and air defence systems.
The failures to adapt and respond to these evolving threats could not only embolden jihadist groups but also exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crises in the region, as civilians increasingly find themselves caught in the crossfire of advanced warfare tactics.
Why it Matters
The emergence of drone warfare among jihadist factions in West Africa signals a significant escalation in the complexity and lethality of regional conflicts. As these groups leverage technology to enhance their operational effectiveness, the potential for increased violence and instability grows. The international community must recognise this urgent threat and support West African nations in developing robust countermeasures, ensuring that the trajectory of this conflict does not spiral further out of control. Failure to act decisively could have dire consequences for peace and security in a region already beset by turmoil.
