A new investigative report has revealed how Starlink, the satellite internet service from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is being used by jihadist groups operating in parts of Africa, sparking growing concern over its presence in conflict zones.

Over the last two years, images and videos posted by militant groups have shown Starlink equipment being used in the field.

In June 2024, Le Monde reported that a video released by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, showed a Starlink dish mounted on a tripod during a clash in Mali’s Gao region.

The footage captured JNIM forces in action against fighters from Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).

A similar case was reported in Nigeria last year, when Nigerian military forces discovered a Starlink terminal in Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold.

During an operation under Operation Hadin Kai, troops killed senior Boko Haram figure Tahir Baga.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the soldiers recovered the satellite terminal along with phones and weapons.

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The report, based on fieldwork, intelligence, and online monitoring, outlines how armed groups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad are increasingly relying on Starlink kits to boost communication in remote areas.

Starlink’s expansion has improved access across the continent, with official coverage now in 24 of Africa’s 54 countries as of mid-2025.

While this growth has supported development in some regions, analysts say it’s also helping extremist groups strengthen their operations.

Groups like JNIM, ISSP, and ISWA are reportedly using the service to livestream content, plan attacks, and avoid surveillance, giving them a significant tactical advantage.

Starlink’s appeal lies in its portability, encryption, and high-speed connectivity, features traditional internet infrastructure often lacks in unstable or rural zones.

In a May 12 risk bulletin cited by Le Monde, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) confirmed that groups such as JNIM and ISWA are “exploiting the portable, high-speed connectivity [of Starlink] to enhance their operations.”

Nigerien authorities also reported recovering Starlink terminals during recent security operations in Tillabéri and Tahoua, regions known for extremist activity.

With around 8,800 low-Earth orbit satellites in operation, Starlink offers near-complete coverage, even in areas where only 37% of the continent has land-based internet access.

However, the report also highlights regulatory weaknesses. In countries like Mali, where Starlink is not officially available, the terminals are still being used.

Many are smuggled in or bought from third-party sellers in neighboring countries with little oversight.

This unregulated access has made it easier for armed groups to use Starlink in places where official service hasn’t been approved.

Experts now warn that unless steps are taken to control how and where satellite internet is accessed, services like Starlink could become powerful tools in the hands of militants, fueling long-term instability and asymmetric warfare.

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Image Credit: Le Monde