The country has become the latest epicentre of a shifting conflict in the Sahel.

The country has become the latest epicentre of a shifting conflict in the Sahel.
Violence from armed groups and criminal networks is on the rise across West Africa.
French court confirms charge of complicity in ‘crimes against humanity’ for Lafarge over alleged payoffs to ISIL (ISIS).
The ADF, which began as an uprising in Uganda but is based in Congo, pledged allegiance to ISIL (ISIS) in 2019.
The US Treasury Department accused those designated of playing a role in facilitating travel of ISIL members to Syria.
The attack, in which five other soldiers were wounded, was the Egyptian army’s heaviest loss in years.
Prison officials say programme consists of classes on religion, law, and economics.
Former ISIL fighter Alexanda Kotey had pleaded guilty to ‘terrorism’ and lethal hostage-taking charges.
Dozens of Afghan civilians have been killed in recent weeks in blasts, some of which have been claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group.
An attack on a Ramadan iftar on Wednesday was the latest to be blamed on ISIL in Syria’s northeast.
Gunmen attacked a Ramadan iftar gathering in Deir Az Zor, killing seven people.
Series of bombings in Afghanistan highlight security challenges since Taliban seized power in August.
At least six killed after a school in Dasht-e-Barchi – a Shia Hazara neighbourhood – was hit by a series of explosions.
Since its 2019 defeat, ISIL has morphed into a series of affiliates taking hold in Afghanistan and Africa’s Sahel belt.