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

US Marine Gen. Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command, left, speaks to reporters at a conference of military chiefs from across Africa, with Lt. Gen. Placid Segokgo, Botswana’s commander of the defense force, June 25, 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana.

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.