Hmmm. Boko Haram - Procol Harum - sounds like somebody at the Pentagon or the CIA is a little short on imagination.
Boko Haram declares 'Islamic state' in northern Nigeria
- Thread starter tay
- Start date
Boko Haram Seek to Imitate 'Inspirational' Islamic State and Establish a African Caliphate
Now, emboldened by the success of Isis, experts say Boko Haram is beginning to operate like a conventional army in north-eastern Nigeria. The group has recently moved from guerilla tactics - car bombs and kidnappings - towards a policy of taking and holding tracts of land.
On Monday, the secretary to the Borno state government admitted that Borno - an area the size of Ireland - has been brought to a standstill by the Islamist group. “At this very moment, most parts of Borno state are being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents.
Government presence and administration is minimal or non-existent across many parts of the state… Most settlements in the affected areas in the state have either been deserted or access to them is practically impossible”.
Earlier today, Borno Elders Forum warned that Maiduguri, the state capital which has a population of 2 million, is now “completely surrounded” by the Islamist group and under imminent threat of annihilation.
The Nigeria Security Network (NSN) cautioned the Nigerian government to “urgently reinforce” Maiduguri in a special report published on Tuesday. "If Maiduguri falls, it will be a symbolic and strategic victory unparalleled so far in the conflict,” says the report. “Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of ISIS’s lightning advances in Iraq.”
Boko Haram have increasingly employed conventional warfare tactics, such as the dropping of flyers at night warning of imminent attacks to intimidate local populations, which has reportedly resulted in a number of soldiers deserting the armed forces in Maiduguri.
Both Perry and Noakes fear that, like in Iraq, Nigeria’s army is ill-equipped to face the Islamists. “Endemic corruption has eaten away at the weaponry, they are out of guns and face a virtual mutiny problem,” said Perry, pointing to a recent riot in Maiduguri where Nigerian soldiers tried to shoot their own commanders.
more
http://www.newsweek.com/boko-haram-...amic-state-and-establish-north-african-269884
Now, emboldened by the success of Isis, experts say Boko Haram is beginning to operate like a conventional army in north-eastern Nigeria. The group has recently moved from guerilla tactics - car bombs and kidnappings - towards a policy of taking and holding tracts of land.
On Monday, the secretary to the Borno state government admitted that Borno - an area the size of Ireland - has been brought to a standstill by the Islamist group. “At this very moment, most parts of Borno state are being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents.
Government presence and administration is minimal or non-existent across many parts of the state… Most settlements in the affected areas in the state have either been deserted or access to them is practically impossible”.
Earlier today, Borno Elders Forum warned that Maiduguri, the state capital which has a population of 2 million, is now “completely surrounded” by the Islamist group and under imminent threat of annihilation.
The Nigeria Security Network (NSN) cautioned the Nigerian government to “urgently reinforce” Maiduguri in a special report published on Tuesday. "If Maiduguri falls, it will be a symbolic and strategic victory unparalleled so far in the conflict,” says the report. “Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of ISIS’s lightning advances in Iraq.”
Boko Haram have increasingly employed conventional warfare tactics, such as the dropping of flyers at night warning of imminent attacks to intimidate local populations, which has reportedly resulted in a number of soldiers deserting the armed forces in Maiduguri.
Both Perry and Noakes fear that, like in Iraq, Nigeria’s army is ill-equipped to face the Islamists. “Endemic corruption has eaten away at the weaponry, they are out of guns and face a virtual mutiny problem,” said Perry, pointing to a recent riot in Maiduguri where Nigerian soldiers tried to shoot their own commanders.
more
http://www.newsweek.com/boko-haram-...amic-state-and-establish-north-african-269884