The Digest:
At least eight Nigerian soldiers were killed and 23 others injured in a raid by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a military base at Cross Kauwa village in Borno State, security sources told AFP. About 70 militants on motorcycles attacked the base on Monday, sparking a fierce gun battle. Sources said the terrorists burnt down the base along with 11 gun trucks and seized anti-aircraft guns mounted on them. The base, located 24 kilometres from the fishing hub of Baga, served as a major security bulwark shielding the town from jihadist attacks. The attack follows weekend raids on two other Borno bases by ISWAP and Boko Haram. Jihadist violence has killed over 40,000 and displaced around two million in the northeast since 2009. The United States is deploying 200 troops to provide technical and training support to Nigerian soldiers.
Key Points:
- The deadly raid exposes persistent vulnerabilities in military bases despite counterinsurgency efforts.
- Loss of 11 gun trucks and anti-aircraft guns strengthens ISWAP's offensive capabilities.
- Soldiers' families mourn, while the military faces strategic setbacks in the Lake Chad region.
- This signals the resilience of ISWAP despite years of military operations.
- The timing, with US troop deployment imminent, underscores the urgent need for support.
Sources: Daily Trust, AFP
