Nigerian Military Says Airstrikes Kill 36 ISWAP Fighters in Borno
The Nigerian military has said its air assets killed at least 36 members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a series of airstrikes conducted in parts of Monguno and Biu Local Government Areas of Borno State.
According to an update from Operation Hadin Kai, the air operations were carried out after military intelligence identified the locations where ISWAP fighters were gathering and moving within the affected areas.
The military said the operations were based on intelligence gathered on the activities and movements of the insurgents, allowing the air assets to track the fighters before carrying out the strikes.
16 ISWAP Fighters Killed in Aduwa
The first operation was conducted around Aduwa in Monguno Local Government Area.
According to the military, its aircraft initially spotted suspected ISWAP fighters moving within the area.
The air assets reportedly monitored their movements until the fighters reached a location where a larger number of them had gathered.
After the necessary procedures were completed and the target was confirmed, the military carried out an airstrike on the gathering.
The strike was said to have killed 16 ISWAP fighters at the location.
The military described the operation as part of its ongoing efforts to use intelligence and aerial surveillance to identify insurgent movements and target their gatherings before they can launch attacks.
Another Strike Kills About 10 Fighters
The military said its air assets later detected another group of ISWAP fighters attempting to regroup in the same general area.
The fighters were reportedly observed as they gathered together, prompting another air operation against the group.
The subsequent strike was said to have killed about 10 additional ISWAP members.
The military said the operation disrupted the insurgents' attempt to regroup and reorganise their forces in the area.
10 More Killed in Buratai
In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, military aircraft also detected another gathering of suspected ISWAP fighters.
According to Operation Hadin Kai, the fighters were identified as they assembled in the area.
The military subsequently carried out an airstrike on the location, killing 10 more suspected ISWAP fighters.
The three reported strikes therefore accounted for 36 insurgents killed, according to the military's assessment.
Military Says Intelligence Operations Are Working
The Nigerian military said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of its intelligence-gathering and surveillance capabilities in tracking the movements of insurgent groups.
According to the military, the ability to monitor the movements of ISWAP fighters makes it increasingly difficult for them to gather in large numbers without being detected.
It said the insurgents would also find it difficult to hide or divide themselves into smaller groups without attracting the attention of military intelligence and surveillance assets.
The military maintained that its aerial operations are being conducted as part of a broader campaign aimed at weakening the operational capabilities of terrorist groups operating in North-East Nigeria.
Efforts to Reduce Threat to Civilians
The military said the ongoing operations are intended to reduce the ability of insurgent groups to organise, regroup and launch attacks against civilians and security personnel.
It added that the latest airstrikes form part of continuing efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist activities and prevent insurgents from establishing operational bases in communities across Borno State.
The military said it would continue to rely on intelligence-led operations, surveillance and targeted strikes to put pressure on ISWAP and other terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
The reported casualties are based on the Nigerian military's assessment of the air operations.