Post by Admin on Nov 28, 2015 1:34:52 GMT
World | Sat Oct 10, 2015
Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers kill 33 in Chad
www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/10/us-nigeria-violence-chad-idUSKCN0S40OJ20151010
N'DJAMENA Five suicide bombers killed 33 people in Chad and wounded 51 more in a coordinated attack suspected to be the work of the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, a local government official said.
Witnesses reported multiple blasts that appeared to target the market in Baga Sola, directly across Lake Chad from Nigeria, and a camp housing refugees who have fled from Boko Haram.
The group have proclaimed an emirate in northeastern Nigeria, enforcing a brutal interpretation of Islamic law, and also pushed into neighboring countries.
Dimoya Souapebe, the sub-prefect in the town, and a hospital source both confirmed the casualty figures.
"We heard three explosions. The market is on fire right now," said one security source present in the town.
Niger, Cameroon and Chad have all suffered a spillover of violence from Boko Haram's north Nigerian strongholds.
Chad spearheaded a regional offensive earlier this year that drove the Islamist fighters from many of their bases. However, the group has fought back, launching a wave of cross-border attacks and suicide bombings.
Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and Chad have agreed to establish an 8,700-strong multinational force to take on the militants, though its formation has been delayed.
Chadian President Idriss Deby has said the force could begin operations later this month.
(Reporting by Madjiasra Nako; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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Africa Check: Sorting Fact from fiction
Factsheets & Guides
FACTSHEET: Explaining Nigeria’s Boko Haram and its violent insurgency
Researched by Mike Smith
africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-explaining-nigerias-boko-haram-and-its-violent-insurgency/
An umbrella-like structure
It is perhaps best to think of today’s Boko Haram as an umbrella-like structure, with true organisation only at the very top. Cells may carry out attacks for their own reasons, recruiting foot soldiers as needed from an army of young men who are susceptible to extremist ideology and hope to benefit financially or otherwise.
For these reasons, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say how many followers Boko Haram have. It is also not clear how much of the insurgency is under the control of Shekau – or if he is even still alive, after the military again claimed that he may have been killed. Someone who looks and speaks like Shekau appeared in videos up to now and the violence has only worsened.
Financing and weaponry
Boko Haram has financed itself mainly through ransom kidnappings, bank robberies and other illegal activities. The group is believed to have raided at least one Nigerian military arms depot. Illegal arms are trafficked in West Africa and likely not difficult for Boko Haram to procure.
There have been accusations of political sponsorship, but little evidence has been offered. At this point the insurgency has evolved into a many-headed monster, beyond the control of any one politician.
Their demands
The insurgents’ demands have varied, but they often focus on two main areas: the release of Boko Haram prisoners and the creation of an Islamic state. While Shekau has pledged solidarity with jihadists globally, Boko Haram’s demands have largely remained local and the insurgency has fed on poverty, hopelessness and unemployment in northern Nigeria. Finding Boko Haram leaders who could legitimately negotiate a peace deal on behalf of the group has been a major challenge.
Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers kill 33 in Chad
www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/10/us-nigeria-violence-chad-idUSKCN0S40OJ20151010
N'DJAMENA Five suicide bombers killed 33 people in Chad and wounded 51 more in a coordinated attack suspected to be the work of the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, a local government official said.
Witnesses reported multiple blasts that appeared to target the market in Baga Sola, directly across Lake Chad from Nigeria, and a camp housing refugees who have fled from Boko Haram.
The group have proclaimed an emirate in northeastern Nigeria, enforcing a brutal interpretation of Islamic law, and also pushed into neighboring countries.
Dimoya Souapebe, the sub-prefect in the town, and a hospital source both confirmed the casualty figures.
"We heard three explosions. The market is on fire right now," said one security source present in the town.
Niger, Cameroon and Chad have all suffered a spillover of violence from Boko Haram's north Nigerian strongholds.
Chad spearheaded a regional offensive earlier this year that drove the Islamist fighters from many of their bases. However, the group has fought back, launching a wave of cross-border attacks and suicide bombings.
Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and Chad have agreed to establish an 8,700-strong multinational force to take on the militants, though its formation has been delayed.
Chadian President Idriss Deby has said the force could begin operations later this month.
(Reporting by Madjiasra Nako; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Africa Check: Sorting Fact from fiction
Factsheets & Guides
FACTSHEET: Explaining Nigeria’s Boko Haram and its violent insurgency
Researched by Mike Smith
africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-explaining-nigerias-boko-haram-and-its-violent-insurgency/
An umbrella-like structure
It is perhaps best to think of today’s Boko Haram as an umbrella-like structure, with true organisation only at the very top. Cells may carry out attacks for their own reasons, recruiting foot soldiers as needed from an army of young men who are susceptible to extremist ideology and hope to benefit financially or otherwise.
For these reasons, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say how many followers Boko Haram have. It is also not clear how much of the insurgency is under the control of Shekau – or if he is even still alive, after the military again claimed that he may have been killed. Someone who looks and speaks like Shekau appeared in videos up to now and the violence has only worsened.
Financing and weaponry
Boko Haram has financed itself mainly through ransom kidnappings, bank robberies and other illegal activities. The group is believed to have raided at least one Nigerian military arms depot. Illegal arms are trafficked in West Africa and likely not difficult for Boko Haram to procure.
There have been accusations of political sponsorship, but little evidence has been offered. At this point the insurgency has evolved into a many-headed monster, beyond the control of any one politician.
Their demands
The insurgents’ demands have varied, but they often focus on two main areas: the release of Boko Haram prisoners and the creation of an Islamic state. While Shekau has pledged solidarity with jihadists globally, Boko Haram’s demands have largely remained local and the insurgency has fed on poverty, hopelessness and unemployment in northern Nigeria. Finding Boko Haram leaders who could legitimately negotiate a peace deal on behalf of the group has been a major challenge.