Inside the world’s deadliest terror zone

JNIM. Islamic State Sahel Province. Boko Haram.These are the groups driving a surge in violence across the Sahel—now the world’s deadliest region for terrorism.Across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, attacks are escalating at a pace that outstrips every other region globally. Coups, foreign troop withdrawals, and weakening state control have created space for militant groups to expand, adapt, and entrench themselves across vast areas of the region.In this episode of Conflicts of Interest, ACLED CEO Professor Clionadh Raleigh is joined by Sahel expert Heni Nsaibia to unpack how the Sahel became the global epicentre of terrorism. Drawing on ACLED data and regional expertise, they break down the strategies of these groups, the role of military-led governments, and the local dynamics fuelling the spread of violence.The question isn’t just why the Sahel has become so deadly—but how far this instability could spread, and what it means for global security.For more conversations like this, subscribe to Conflicts of Interest and watch the full episode on YouTube. Conflicts of Interest: https://www.youtube.com/@ConflictsOfInterestACLED📱 Did you know you can follow Conflicts of Interest on TikTok?