Summary:

On 4 September 2025, several news reports indicated that Mauritania is preparing a new deployment of military brigades in Hodh El Gharbi province in 2026, close to Mali’s Kayes and Nioro regions where jihadist activity has been on the rise.  

The move, partially funded by a €5 million EU program over four years, forms part of Mauritania’s broader “security and development” strategy, which combines military deployment, intelligence, and social cohesion. Mauritania’s intelligence capabilities, particularly in Hodh El Chargui, have been highlighted as a model by the U.S. State Department. 

This initiative comes against the backdrop of escalating jihadist activity in Mali, where the al-Qaeda–linked group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) has publicly announced blockades on the Malian cities of Kayes and Nioro, while threatening to cut fuel supplies coming from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Conakry, Senegal, and Mauritania. JNIM also announced a total ban on the operations of the Diarra Transport Company in the region. 

In response, the Malian army launched ground and air operations in Léré, Gao, Kayes, and Nioro, claiming to have neutralized several fighters. Meanwhile, Malian government authorities in Kayes extended a nighttime curfew for an additional month from 31 August 2025, citing persistent security threats. 

Outlook: 

Mauritania’s decision to deploy new brigades in Hodh El Gharbi reflects an effort to shield itself from the mounting security threats in the wider Sahel.  

With jihadist activity intensifying in neighboring Mali, particularly around Kayes and Nioro, Nouakchott faces growing risks of spillover violence that could destabilize its frontier regions. 

The move positions Mauritania to reinforce its defenses while projecting itself as a buffer state in the Sahel. Yet, recent threats by JNIM to impose blockades and disrupt regional supply routes highlight the persistent volatility of the region, underscoring the need for Mauritania to strengthen cooperation with Mali, Senegal, and other Sahel states to prevent regional destabilization. 

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