Vasily R. Filippov

The author examines the phenomenon of expansion of Al- Qaeda in Mali. In 2001 Osama ben Laden came to conclusion that Mali could be used as a springboard for terrorist organizations. Since that period Al-Qaeda is secretly transferring small groups of well-trained mujahideen to the Sahel zone.

Experts identify four factors that led to special interest of Al-Qaeda in Mali: the proximity of potential terrorist targets in Europe, inaccessibility of the northern regions of Mali, the presence of Islamist militants in the region (primarily - Salafi), conflicting relations between the Mali government and Tuareg people, «masters» of these territories.