Boko Haram–ISWAP conflict

Boko Haram–ISWAP conflict
Part of the Boko Haram insurgency

Map of influences between Boko Haram and ISWAP
DateFebruary 13, 2021[1] – present
Location
Borno State, Nigeria, spillover in Southeastern Niger, Western Chad and Northern Cameroon[2]
Status Ongoing
Territorial
changes
Belligerents
Islamic State Boko Haram (Daular Musulunci)
Commanders and leaders
Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau ‡‡[3]
Boko Haram Bakura Doro
Boko Haram Bakura Sahalaba †[4]
Boko Haram Mohd Hassan[5]		 Abu Musab al-Barnawi (WIA)[6]
Islamic State Dana Daguri
Islamic State Muhammad Dawud[7]
Islamic State Bako Gorgore †[8]
Islamic State Aba Ibrahim †[8]
Islamic State Abu-Bilal al-Minuki X[9]
Units involved
Strength
Islamic State c. 1,500 (2025)[19] Islamic State c. 8,000 – 12,000 (2025)[20]
Casualties and losses
More than 2,000 killed in total[21]

The Boko Haram–ISWAP conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Nigerian branch of the Islamic State. Following the split of ISWAP from Boko Haram because of Abubakar Shekau's refusal to leave the leadership ISWAP, the Islamic State replaced him with Abu Musab al-Barnawi, which led to clashes between the two groups.

Background

Boko Haram and the Islamic State (IS) were initially allies. However, the two groups became enemies due to territorial disputes, because the Islamic State tried to conquer the zones which were under Boko Haram's control.[22]

In July 2014, Abubakar Shekau released a 16-minute video in which he voiced his support for IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and Taliban leader Mullah Omar.[23] In March 2015, Shekau pledged allegiance to al-Baghdadi, and the "West Africa Province" was formed.[24]

When the insurgents were subsequently defeated and lost almost all of their lands during the 2015 West African offensive by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), discontent grew among the rebels.[25][26][27] Despite orders by IS central command to stop using women and children suicide bombers as well as refrain from mass murdering of civilians, Shekau refused to change his tactics.[28] Researcher Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi summarizes that Shekau proved to be "too extreme even by the Islamic State's standards".[29]

In August 2016, IS attempted to remove Shekau and replace him with Abu Musab al-Barnawi because Shekau had disobeyed al-Baghdadi's order to cease targeting Muslim civilians. Shekau rejected the move, leading to a split between the groups.[24]

Presence and influence of ISWAP and Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger in early 2019

Timeline

2021

In February 2021, ISWAP and Boko Haram engaged in a battle at the Niger–Nigeria border after ISWAP had abducted women who were linked to Boko Haram. Around this time, a faction of ISWAP also defected to al-Qaeda. The violence further escalated after ISWAP had tried to convince Boko Haram to change its tendency to overuse takfir designations.[30] The Nigerian newspaper Vanguard stated that ISWAP had previously sent especially loyal troops for training to Libya, Somalia, and Syria; these forces returned to Nigeria in March and April, greatly bolstering ISWAP forces and allowing them to operate more aggressively against Boko Haram.[31]

In April, Boko Haram ambushed an ISWAP brigade, killing several.[32] Around this time, dissatisfaction within Boko Haram reportedly rose because Shekau had executed his chief of staff Abu Fatima.[33] The inter-rebel fighting was paused during Ramadan.[28] Around mid-May, ISWAP released an audio declaring that al-Barnawi had been reinstated by the IS central command as "caretaker" leader of ISWAP. As al-Barnawi had been the one to depose Shekau in the first place, analyst Jacob Zenn argues that this move was a sign that both the IS central command and ISWAP wanted to eliminate Shekau.[34] Vanguard claims that delegates of the IS central command had visited ISWAP shortly before the offensive in Sambisa Forest.[31] Al-Naba also vaguely stated in an article that ISWAP had been ordered to "eliminate Shekau", hinting that the IS central leadership had been involved in the decision making process.[35] ISWAP forces moved their civilian followers to more secure locations around Kukawa in preparation of the anti-Shekau operation.[31]

ISWAP began its offensive on 14 May, targeting four minor camps as well as Shekau's main base located in the Sambisa Forest.[35] Boko Haram responded with mortar fire and used several suicide bombers, one of them in a car, to halt ISWAP's advance. However, ISWAP militants reportedly managed to kill most suicide bombers before they reached them, with only three succeeding in detonating themselves, inflicting only minor damage. After ISWAP had inflicted heavy losses on Boko Haram including two vehicles destroyed, the base's defenders fled. However, ISWAP failed to capture Shekau during this clash as it had initially intended to do. ISWAP troops spent the remaining day securing the captured base.[35]

Shekau and his remaining followers attempted to flee from a temporary camp on late 19 May[36] but were encircled by ISWAP[37] troops led by Dana Daguri.[38] ISWAP fighters confronted Shekau's personal bodyguards, resulting in heavy fighting and ending with the death of several bodyguards.[34][28][30] In contrast, al-Naba claims that ISWAP had discovered Shekau's motorized column by 17 May and attacked it, culminating in Shekau and a few followers fleeing further into the forest on foot. According to this telling of the events, Shekau and seven of his followers were cornered at "a large tree" after two days of searching by ISWAP.[35]

Shekau began to negotiate with ISWAP on 19 May,[39] however, Shekau committed suicide with a gun, grenade or suicide belt.[37] The remaining Boko Haram fighters present reportedly joined ISWAP.[40] Al-Barnawi declared "Shekau preferred to be humiliated in the afterlife than getting humiliated on earth, and he killed himself instantly by detonating an explosive".[41]

2022

Areas under control of Boko Haram and ISWAP in 2022

On 20 April 2022, Boko Haram fighters invaded an ISWAP settlement near Ngurosoye, resulting in the deaths of 18 ISWAP fighters and six Boko Haram fighters.[42] On 23 April, clashes between Boko Haram and ISWAP at two villages in the Sambisa Forest left a total of 34 militants dead.[43]

On 15 September, eight Boko Haram members, including a middle rank commander, were killed in a clash with ISWAP. Fighters from both groups were also left injured.[44] On 17 September, two Boko Haram top commanders identified as Abou Hamza and Abou Ibrahim were executed by ISWAP.[45] On 7 October, ISWAP killed eight Boko Haram members in an ambush.[46] On 4 December, a clash between Boko Haram and ISWAP killed dozens of terrorists, including at least 23 ISWAP members.[47]

Led by Bakura Doro, on 30 December Boko Haram attacked ISWAP at the villages of Toumbun Allura Kurnawa and Kangar, in Abadam.[48] The battles lasted for 13 hours and left 30 militants on both sides dead.[49] The Boko Haram fighters fled to a hideout on the border of Niger.[49] The ISWAP fighters were forced to flee from the area. Four hostages captured by ISWAP were freed during the attack.[50]

2023

The next major attack by Boko Haram occurred on 7 January 2023 in the villages of Toumbun Gini, seizing large amounts of ISWAP weaponry and then killing ISWAP militants fleeing westward.[48] At least 100 ISWAP fighters were killed in the battle, and 35 were injured.[48] Al-Barnawi was forced to flee during the offensive.[51] Ten ISWAP fighters surrendered to Nigerien forces after the battle to avoid Boko Haram attacks.[51] Al-Barnawi returned to the Lake Chad area with 300 fighters on 10 January, announcing reprisal attacks for the raids,[48] performing several attacks in February and March 2023 that killed "hundreds" of Boko Haram fighters.[52]

On 5 July, several Boko Haram fighters and members of their families were killed by ISWAP in Sambisa Forest.[53] On 24 August, at least 41 total terrorists were killed in a clash in the Lake Chad region.[54] On 17 November, at least 60 people were killed in clashes when ISWAP ambushed a fleet of Boko Haram vessels on Lake Chad.[55]

2024

On 15 January 2024, dozens of terrorists were killed during a clash on the islands of Kandahar and Kaduna Ruwa.[56] On 11 March, at least 35 Boko Haram militants were killed and 11 were abducted during clashes in the Lake Chad area and Borno State. Fighting continued until 13 March. Two fishermen were killed in the crossfire, and two other were abducted by ISWAP.[57]

On 26 April, a heavy clash erupted on several islands in Lake Chad, resulting in the death of 85 terrorists, with about 70 of them being Boko Haram.[58]

2025

Between 5 and 8 November 2025, Boko Haram fighters launched a naval invasion against ISWAP bases across the various islands in Lake Chad. The attacks were led by Hassan Buduma and Mohd Hassan and used dozens of fighters armed with heavy weapons on motorised boats.[59] Military forces reported that "most of the deceased are believed to be ISWAP members,"[60] with the clashes leaving at least 4 Boko Haram attackers dead and between 170 and 200 ISWAP members killed.[61][62]

Boko Haram successfully seized several ISWAP bases and their weaponry,[63] surviving militants retreated to their mainland positions in the villages of Ali Jillimari, Metele, Kangarwa, and Gudumbali in northern Borno State.[61] Only three of ISWAP’s boats managed to escape, seven others were captured along with arms and ammunition.[62]

2026

On 20 January, Boko Haram launched a nighttime raid seizing ISWAP bases, ammunition, equipment and killing 200 ISWAP fighters. During the battle, Boko Haram reportedly utilized Libyan and Chadian mercenaries.[64]

On 16 May, a boatload of Boko Haram fighters was observed heading towards an island in Lake Chad controlled by ISWAP; the Boko Haram fighters noticed another boat nearby and fired at it.[65] On 29 July, clashes took place around Mangari and Tumbun Allura, Boko Haram seized two boats and killed several ISWAP fighters before withdrawing.[66]

On 23 August, several fighters were reportedly killed in Bama. The confrontation resulted in heavy casualties among Boko Haram fighters, with some survivors fleeing into surrounding areas.[67]

Notes

  1. ↑ Njimiya camp dissidents was a faction of Boko Haram led by four commanders of the Njimiya camp, that rebelled and waged a low-level anti-ISIS guerrilla campaign in Sambisa Forest following the Battle of Sambisa in 2022. The dissidents eventually surrendered to security forces in December 2022, having been defeated by the Islamic State.[13]
  2. ↑ from 2016, originally Barnawi faction of Boko Haram[15][16]
  3. ↑ Official name is unknown[17]

References

  1. ↑ "JAS-ISWAP conflict- Uppsala Conflict Data Program".
  2. ↑ "JAS-ISWAP conflict- Uppsala Conflict Data Program".
  3. ↑ "Abubakar Shekau's Boko Haram Faction Confirms Death Of Leader, Issues Fresh Threats". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "JAS vs. ISWAP: The War of the Boko Haram Splinters" (PDF). Crisis Group.
  5. ↑ "Boko Haram, ISWAP in fierce battle for control of Borno's Lake Chad islands". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. 9 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "After Shekau: Confronting Jihadists in Nigeria's North East" (PDF). Crisis Group.
  7. ↑ Kingsley Omonobi (26 May 2021). "Supremacy Battle: ISWAP fighters arrest more Shekau's commanders, meet surrendered top Boko Haram members". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  8. 1 2 Nasiru, Jemilat (14 March 2026). "ISWAP commander who led onslaught against Shekau 'killed' by army". TheCable. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Who was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, senior ISIS leader killed in joint US-Nigeria op?". Firstpost. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Trofimov, Yaroslav (15 September 2016). "Behind Boko Haram's Split: A Leader Too Radical for Islamic State". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "Boko Haram Split Creates Two Deadly Forces". Voice of America. Reuters. 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  12. ↑ https://jamestown.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TM-Mar.-20-2020-Issue.pdf?x78547
  13. ↑ "Four Boko Haram Commanders Surrender To Nigerian Army In Borno After Years In Sambisa Forest". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "Threat Tactics Report: Boko Haram" (PDF). United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Shekau Resurfaces, Accuses New Boko Haram Leader al-Barnawi of Attempted Coup". 360nobs. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  16. ↑ Yinka Ibukun (26 March 2018). "Nigeria Turns to Dialogue to End 9-Year Islamist Insurgency". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  17. 1 2 3 "Mapping and Evolving Armed Constellation" (PDF). Unidir. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "ACLED Methodology for Coding Boko Haram and ISWAP Factions | ACLED". acleddata.com. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Boko Haram". Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "United Nations Security Council".
  21. ↑ "JAS-ISWAP conflict- Uppsala Conflict Data Program".
  22. ↑ Cooper, Helene (20 April 2016). "Boko Haram and ISIS Are Collaborating More, U.S. Military Says". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Boko Haram voices support for ISIS' Baghdadi". English.alarabiya.net. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  24. 1 2 Zenna, Jacob; Pierib, Zacharias (Summer 2017). "How much Takfir is too much Takfir? The Evolution of Boko Haram's Factionalization". Journal for Deradicalization (11): 282. ISSN 2363-9849. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  25. ↑ Thomas Joscelyn; Caleb Weiss (17 January 2019). "Thousands flee Islamic State West Africa offensive in northeast Nigeria". Long War Journal. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  26. ↑ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (5 August 2018). "The Islamic State West Africa Province vs. Abu Bakr Shekau: Full Text, Translation and Analysis". Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  27. ↑ "The Islamic State in Africa: Estimating Fighter Numbers in Cells Across the Continent" (PDF). 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  28. 1 2 3 Jason Burke; Emmanuel Akinwotu (20 May 2021). "Boko Haram leader tried to kill himself during clash with rivals, officials claim". Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  29. ↑ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (28 June 2021). "The Defeat of Abu Bakr Shekau's Group in Sambisa Forest". Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  30. 1 2 Murtala Abdullahi; Kunle Adebajo (20 May 2021). "Boko Haram Strongman, Shekau, Dead As ISWAP Fighters Capture Sambisa Forest". Humangle. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  31. 1 2 3 Ndahi Marama (22 May 2021). "Uncertainty trails Abubakar Shekau's rumoured death". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  32. ↑ "Nigerian army investigates reports of Boko Haram leader's death". al Jazeera. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  33. ↑ Kingsley Omonobi (21 May 2021). "Why ISWAP stormed Shekau's Boko Haram camp ― Source". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  34. 1 2 "Killing of Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau Boosts Islamic State in Nigeria" (PDF). 5 August 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  35. 1 2 3 4 Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (2 July 2021). "Report in Islamic State's al-Naba' Newsletter on Destroying Abu Bakr Shekau's Group". Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "How Did Abubakar Shekau Die? Here's What We Know So Far | HumAngle". HumAngle. 21 May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  37. 1 2 Burke, Jason; Akinwotu, Emmanuel (20 May 2021). "Boko Haram leader tried to kill himself during clash with rivals, officials claim". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  38. ↑ John Owen Nwachukwu (29 May 2021). "One week after, Boko Haram silent over death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  39. ↑ "Boko Haram Strongman, Shekau, Dead As ISWAP Fighters Capture Sambisa Forest | HumAngle". HumAngle. 20 May 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  40. ↑ Burke, Jason (22 May 2021). "Rise of Isis means Boko Haram's decline is no cause for celebration". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  41. ↑ "ISWAP militant group says Nigeria's Boko Haram leader is dead". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 March 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  42. ↑ "Two Commanders, 32 Fighters Killed As Boko Haram, ISWAP Clash In Sambisa Forest". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  43. ↑ A.Ş, Yeni Şafak Gazetecilik. "Thirty-four killed in clashes between Boko Haram, ISWAP terror groups in Nigeria". Yeni Şafak. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  44. ↑ Maina, Maina (15 September 2022). "Borno: ISWAP Kills 8 Boko Haram in a rival clash". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  45. ↑ "ISWAP executes two Boko Haram commanders, Hamza, Ibrahim". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  46. ↑ Maina, Maina (8 October 2022). "ISWAP kills 8 Boko Haram members, seizes large quantities of ammunition". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  47. ↑ Usman, Shehu (5 December 2022). "Scores of terrorists dead as Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Lake Chad". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  48. 1 2 3 4 "B'Haram seizes ISWAP bases in Borno, 11 commanders flee". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  49. 1 2 "30 Killed As ISWAP Terrorists Again Clash With Rival Boko Haram Jihadists | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  50. ↑ "B'Haram, ISWAP clash claims 30 terrorists in Borno". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  51. 1 2 Uthman, Samad (11 January 2023). "ISWAP fighters surrender in Niger Republic after 'fleeing from Boko Haram attacks'". TheCable. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  52. ↑ Iyorah, Festus. "Rivalry among Boko Haram factions compounds violence in northern Nigeria". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  53. ↑ "Women, children killed as ISWAP/Boko Haram clash in Borno". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  54. ↑ "41 killed as Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists clash in Borno". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  55. ↑ ABUBAKAR, Aminu. "Scores Feared Dead In Nigeria Jihadist Infighting". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  56. ↑ Maina, Maina (17 January 2024). "Many killed as ISWAP, Boko Haram fighters clash in Lake Chad". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  57. ↑ Okoye, Francis (15 March 2024). "35 Boko Haram Terrorists Killed In Clashes With Rival ISWAP". Leadership. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  58. ↑ "85 terrorists killed in Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Borno". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  59. ↑ Onje, Ojochenemi (10 November 2025). "Boko Haram, ISWAP in fierce battle over Lake Chad Islands". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria.
  60. ↑ Daily, The Chosun (11 November 2025). "200 Killed in Boko Haram-ISWAP Clash Near Lake Chad". The Chosun Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  61. 1 2 "TRT Afrika - Clashes between rival terrorist groups in Nigeria leave at least 200 dead: Media reports". www.trtafrika.com. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  62. 1 2 "Boko Haram slaughters 170 ISWAP fighters in brutal Lake Chad clash". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. 10 November 2025.
  63. ↑ Ajidahun, Ayomiposi (10 November 2025). "200 dead in Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Northeast Nigeria — Report". Nigerian Tribune.
  64. ↑ ADF (20 January 2026). "Rival Terrorists in Battle for Control of Lake Chad Islands". Africa Defense Forum. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  65. ↑ ADF (16 June 2026). "Boko Haram, ISWAP Fight to Control Lake Chad". Africa Defense Forum. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  66. ↑ Rasheedat, Olanrewaju (29 July 2026). "Dozens feared dead as Boko Haram fighters crush ISWAP in fierce Lake Chad battle". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  67. ↑ Oyeyemi, Ado (23 August 2026). "Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Sambisa forest, several fighters killed". Prompt News. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
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