The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has described Boko Haram’s current status as splintered, weaker and less organized than it was a year ago, but remains a threat to West Africa.
AFRICOM, which is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Armed Forces, said in an assessment at its Stuttgart, Germany, base that the terror group still commands “a few thousand members.”
It was reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent statement that Boko Haram had been routed from its last stronghold in Sambissa Forest and was on the run.
On Thursday, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video refuting the claim of the group’s demise, vowing to continue attacks.
AFRICOM’s efforts at blunting Boko Haram have centered on providing small numbers of military advisers to the Nigerian military and training initiatives with special operations forces from regional militaries.
AFRICOM also has expanded its intelligence-gathering efforts in the region, including a drone site in Niger.
Boko Haram has experienced some recent internal turmoil. A leadership struggle in the organization coincides with disputes over whether to align with the Islamic State group.
In August, Boko Haram broke away from the Islamic State’s West Africa branch when Islamic State leaders, declared Abu Musab al Barnawi the organization’s new leader.
As a result, Boko Haram likely lost a “significant number of fighters and supplies lessening the overall capability of the organization,” AFRICOM said in its analysis, released Friday.
“Boko Haram is probably in a weaker position than a year ago,” the command said.
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