ISIS claims deadly attack on Algerian army near Malian border

The Islamic State group, ISIS, Thursday claimed credit for a deadly attack on the Algerian army near the border with Mali that the terror group has named “Algeria Province”.

According to le360 news outlet, the group said the attack, which took place on Monday, south of the North African country, claimed the lives of eight forces including a top officer.

The Algerian army has not confirmed the incident, which appeared to be the first ever attack by the terror group on the army.

Islamic State affiliates emerged in the Sahel in 2013 and in some instances received funding from ISIS’ financiers to carry out attacks across the region. Deadly jihadist attacks over the past few months have highlighted the increasing scope and sophistication of the insurgency, which has now expanded east along the border with Ghana, Togo, Benin and Niger.

According to analysts, climate change, extremist violence and poverty have created an explosive situation in this part of Africa often overlooked amid a broader focus on Islamic extremism in the Middle East.

Analysts argue that the power of local and foreign jihadist groups continues to grow and that the threats to the region and beyond are real.