Residents, authorities troops flee as armed group overran a city in Nigeria’s Borno state in assault claimed by ISIL.
Authorities troops and tons of of residents have been compelled to flee after an armed group overran a city and captured a army base in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state in an assault claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group, safety sources stated.
Machinegun-wielding fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the bottom within the city of Marte within the Lake Chad space in a single day on Friday into Saturday, two sources instructed AFP information company.
“The precedence now could be to reclaim the bottom from the terrorists and an operation is underneath method,” one of many sources stated on Saturday.
“We took successful from ISWAP terrorists. They raided the bottom in Marte after a fierce battle.”
The second supply stated the military had “incurred losses” but it surely was not but clear how many individuals had died or the extent of destruction inflicted by the armed group.
A military assertion stated troops “tactically withdrew” to defend towards an assault exterior Marte. Troops had “successfully destroyed” seven gun vehicles and “decimated” an unconfirmed variety of attackers, it stated.
The ISIL later posted an announcement on its Amaq information channel on Telegram claiming accountability for the assault.
With out giving additional particulars, it stated seven folks had been killed, and one captured, and that its fighters had seized weapons, ammunition and 6 four-wheel-drive autos, in addition to burning down the military barracks.
Marte remained underneath the management of the armed group on Saturday, safety sources instructed Reuters information company.
Precarious scenario
Friday’s assault got here simply two months after residents pushed from their houses by the violence had returned to the city underneath a authorities programme.
It underscores the precarious safety scenario in northeast Nigeria, and the difficulties the federal government faces because it tries to return folks displaced by the violence.
ISWAP, which cut up from Boko Haram in 2016, maintains camps on islands in Lake Chad – the place Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad meet – and the realm is thought to be the group’s bastion.
Final week, the fighters attacked the Marte base however had been repelled, prompting them to mobilise extra fighters for the in a single day raid, sources stated.
The raid was seen as a “fightback” after current losses – troops not too long ago overran ISWAP’s second-largest camp in Talala village, based on sources.
The city, 130km (80 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri, was as soon as thought-about the breadbasket of the Lake Chad area.
At the least 36,000 folks have been killed within the armed battle since 2009 and violence has unfold into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting the formation of a regional army coalition.