**The Dark Wings of Terror in the Sahel** In the dead of night, on January 28, a sinister attack shook the heart of Niger's capital, Niamey. The brazen assault on the international airport and nearby military airbase sent shockwaves across the troubled Sahel region. As authorities scrambled to respond, residents cowered in fear, praying for an end to the chaos. The masterminds behind this dastardly act: the ISIL-linked group, ISSP (Islamic State in the Sahel Province). Experts warn that ISSP's daring attack is a harbinger of a growing trend - the increasing use of advanced technology, including drones and artificial intelligence, by armed groups in the Sahel. These groups, often fueled by extremist ideologies, are leveraging these tools to target military positions and gather vital intelligence. Just a few years ago, these outfits relied on rudimentary AK-47s and AK-103s. But now, with the acquisition of drones, they've taken their tactics to a new level. The ISSP's attack on the Niamey airport is not an isolated incident. In recent months, armed groups in the Sahel have breached military drone hangars, leaving aircraft and civilian planes in shambles. Analysts point to a disturbing pattern: the expansion of armed groups' areas of operation, coupled with their growing use of advanced technology. This worrying trend has implications for regional security, as countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger struggle to contain the violence. The Sahel region's fragile stability has been further destabilized by the military takeover in Niger last July. The expulsion of French and US troops, which had provided crucial air and combat support, has created a power vacuum that extremist groups are quick to exploit. As these countries pivot to Russian-backed forces, concerns over their effectiveness are mounting. The recent Niamey attack raises questions about the ability of these new forces to counter the threat posed by armed groups armed with drones and AI. In a region where porous borders and extremist ideologies have created a cauldron of instability, the Sahel's future hangs in the balance. As the use of drones and AI by armed groups surges, governments must adapt and find new ways to counter this evolving threat. The stakes are high, and the consequences of failure could be catastrophic.