![](https://www.longwarjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-18-JNIM-ties-media-arm-to-three-other-AQ-branches.png)
Al Qaeda’s West African branch seeks French withdrawal, then negotiations
Al Qaeda’s branch in West Africa, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, has released a statement saying it is willing to meet with the Malian government — but only after French and allied forces withdraw from the area.