Jihadist Terrorism Surges in Africa Fueled By Starlink and Drones

Islamic State and al-Qaeda are gaining ground in Africa as they retreat elsewhere, cementing the continent’s reputation as the global epicenter for jihadist attacks, using new technologies to boost numbers and expand territories.

The groups’ affiliates killed a record 22,300 people across the continent over the past year, according to the US defense department’s Africa Center for Strategic Studies. They generate hundreds of millions of dollars through taxes, extortion and ransom, and utilize Starlink internet, drones and other technology. Their ranks have swollen to as many as 50,000 in Nigeria, Somalia and the Sahel, Bloomberg calculations based on United Nations reports and other research show.