Expanding extremist groups in Africa fuel worries that they could attack the US or Western allies

U.S. Marine Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, left, speaks to reporters at a conference of military chiefs from across Africa, with Lt. Gen. Placid Segokgo, Botswanas commander of the defense force, Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana. (AP Photo/Lolita Baldor)
GABORONE – Violent extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are growing in size and influence across Africa, fueling worries that as they improve their tactics they could attack the U.S. or Western allies.
U.S. defense and military officials described the threats and their concerns about growing instability in Africa, where a number of coups have put ruling juntas in control, leading to the ouster of American troops and a decline in U.S. intelligence gathering.
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“Threats like Wagner, terrorist groups and transnational criminal organizations continue to sow instability in multiple regions,