Boko Haram could be sending militants to Libya’s ISIS, US official disclosed
The United States is concerned about indications that Nigeria’s Boko Haram jihadists are sending fighters to join ISIS in Libya in increased cooperation between the two groups, a senior US official said on Friday.
According to intelligence gathered by the US, there are indications that the Islamist group has been sending fighters to join the IISIS militants in Libya.
Boko Haram, which has been waging a seven-year insurgency in northern Nigeria, last year pledged loyalty to ISIS, which has seized parts of Libya, Syria and Iraq. But little has emerged about the extent of a cooperation.
“What we’ve seen are reports of more cooperation between them,” Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on a visit to Nigeria. “There are reports of material and logistical assistance,” Blinken added.
“We’ve seen that Boko Haram’s ability to communicate has become more effective. They seem to have benefited from assistance from Daesh,” he said, using a derogatory Arab name for Islamic State.
He said there were “reports” that Boko Haram fighters were going to Libya, where Islamic State has a large presence in Sirte, exploiting a security vacuum as competing governments and armed groups fight for power.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
- Libya’s HCS invites applicants for key state roles - December 31, 2023
- UK calls on Iran to prevent escalation in Israel-Hamas conflict - November 05, 2023
- Libyan Interior Minister: Immigrant shelter costs a fortune - November 05, 2023