Salem Ould Breihmatt

Salem ould Breihmatt is an internationally designated senior leader of Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. JNIM, which was founded in March 2017, considers itself as al-Qaeda’s official branch in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Given Breihmatt’s position in JNIM, the U.S. Department of State designated Breihmatt as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on August 6, 2021.“Designations of ISIS-Mozambique, JNIM, and al-Shabaab Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, August 6, 2021, https://www.state.gov/designations-of-isis-mozambique-jnim-and-al-shabaab-leaders. The European Union followed suit and added Breihmatt to the E.U. Council’s sanctions list on June 20, 2022.“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.

Breihmatt is an explosives expert and instructor who is reportedly JNIM’s emir of Arbinda and Serma in the Mopti Region of Mali. Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of State, Breihmatt oversees the activities of JNIM in Burkina Faso.“Designations of ISIS-Mozambique, JNIM, and al-Shabaab Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, August 6, 2021, https://www.state.gov/designations-of-isis-mozambique-jnim-and-al-shabaab-leaders.

Given Breihmatt’s role within JNIM, on August 21, 2019, the U.S. Department of State designated Breihmatt as an SDGT.“Designations of ISIS-Mozambique, JNIM, and al-Shabaab Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, August 6, 2021, https://www.state.gov/designations-of-isis-mozambique-jnim-and-al-shabaab-leaders. On June 20, 2022, the Council of the European Union added Breihmatt to the EU sanctions list for his role in JNIM’s terrorist attacks that targeted civilians and security forces in Mali and Burkina Faso.“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.

Also Known As
  • Cheikh ould Mohamed Salec Ould Abed“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.
  • Abu Hamza al-Shanqiti“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.
  • Abu Hamza al-Shinqiti“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.
  • Hamza al-Mauritani“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.

Extremist entity
Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM)
Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, regional, terrorist, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Commander, Mopti Region

Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), meaning “The Support Group for Islam and Muslims,” is an al-Qaeda affiliated group based in Mali that has in recent years expanded its operations to neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal.

  • Designations

United States

European Union

  • The European Union adds Salem ould Breihmatt to the E.U. Council’s sanctions list on June 20, 2022.“COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/950 of 20 June 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them,” Journal of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D0950.

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We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].

Abu Ali al-Askari, Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) Security Official Mar. 2023
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