Nigeria says it killed 35 fighters in air strikes near border with Cameroon

"The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has killed at least 35 armed fighters in air strikes near the country's border with Cameroon, following intelligence that an attack on ground troops was being planned. The strikes were launched on Saturday on four targets in the Kumshe area in Borno State, near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, said NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame. Following the operation, communication was re-established with ground troops, who confirmed that the situation around their location had been stabilised, he said."

"The strikes are the latest by the Nigerian military as it battles a resurgence of attacks in the country's embattled northeast. The region faces frequent attacks from Boko Haram and its rival splinter group, ISIL (ISIS) West Africa Province (ISWAP). Both ISWAP and Boko Haram have recently ramped up their assaults on the military in northeastern Nigeria, which, in addition to Cameroon, also borders Chad and Niger. Armed fighters have overrun military bases, killing soldiers and seizing weapons."

"According to the United Nations, the conflict has killed more than 35,000 civilians and forced more than 2 million people to flee their homes. Last week, the US State Department approved the sale of $346m in weapons, including bombs, rockets and munitions, to Nigeria, subject to approval by Congress. The weapons would improve Nigeria's capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organizations, the department said."

The Nigerian Air Force conducted air strikes near the Cameroon border, killing at least 35 armed fighters after receiving intelligence of a planned attack on ground troops. The strikes targeted four locations in the Kumshe area of Borno State and were followed by re-established communication with ground forces that reported stabilised conditions. The military is confronting a resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP, which have overrun bases and seized weapons. The conflict has killed over 35,000 civilians and displaced more than 2 million people. The US approved a $346m arms sale to Nigeria, pending Congress.

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