The United States has raised serious concerns over the growing presence of terrorist groups in the Sahel and West Africa, warning that al-Qaeda affiliates and Islamic State-linked factions are expanding their control in the region. The concern was made public during a recent UN Security Council briefing on global terrorist threats.

Speaking at the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, said groups such as JNIM and IS-Sahel are gaining territory and widening their influence. He explained that terrorism in the region is becoming more dangerous due to activities like kidnapping for ransom, cross-border movement of fighters, and the merging of extremists from different conflict zones.

Waltz also warned that terrorist groups are increasingly using modern technology to strengthen their operations. According to the United States, extremists now rely on tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, satellite communication, and cryptocurrencies, making them harder to track. He stressed the need for strong global cooperation, including working with the private sector, to disrupt terror financing and limit access to these technologies.

The U.S. praised countries that have recorded progress against terrorist groups in places like Iraq, Syria, and Somalia, and urged nations to improve information sharing and border screening. In West Africa, Nigeria remains heavily affected, with Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, and Lakuwara causing violence for years. The al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, which operates mainly in the Sahel, has also reportedly expanded into parts of Nigeria, launching several attacks in 2025.