Groups of fighters from the two jihadist groups reportedly engaged in a firefight in the town of Dori.
According to IS channels, at least nine JNIM fighters were killed in the engagement.
While in theory ISSP and JNIM are enemies, both groups have pragmatically engaged in informal non
aggression agreements, which have made engagements like the latest one relatively rare. There is a
realistic possibility that the continuing breakdown of government authority in the Sahel, and especially
in Burkina Faso and Niger, will result in a growing number of clashes between various insurgent groups
seeking to control territory and expand their influence.
Further validating this assessment, on 11 November local sources reported that the leader of a
regional ISSP sector in the Tessit region of Burkina Faso was assassinated by militants who defected
to JNIM.