Military air strikes kill ’15 ISWAP fighters’ in Borno

At least 15 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have been killed in a drone strike in Marte LGA of Borno.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the air strike was carried out at about 5:35 am on Tuesday after intelligence reports indicated the presence of suspected terrorists around KLA Balia in Marte LGA.

The publication said an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed “Guardian”, identified three vehicles concealed at separate locations before spotting five suspected insurgents taking cover beneath a tree.

Makama added that following positive identification, the drone carried out a precision strike, killing the five visible suspects and triggering secondary explosions that raised the estimated death toll to 15.

The publication said a follow-up strike targeting the concealed vehicles failed after a laser targeting system malfunction prevented accurate target designation.

Despite the setback, Makama quoted military sources as describing the operation as successful, saying it inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents and disrupted their activities.

The publication added that surveillance of the area is ongoing, with additional operations expected to target surviving fighters and destroy the remaining vehicles.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the publication saidthe air component of Operation HADIN KAI killed eight suspected ISWAP fighters during a night combat mission along the Bama-Maiduguri main supply route on July 22.

According to the publication, the helicopter crew observed muzzle flashes from a location previously identified as an insurgent training ground and fired probing shots to confirm the presence of the suspected terrorists.

It said the insurgents responded by opening fire on the aircraft, prompting the military to launch sustained aerial strikes that killed eight suspected fighters, while others fled into nearby bushes.

The publication added that the operation formed part of intensified air offensives aimed at disrupting insurgent movements, dismantling training camps and securing strategic supply routes across the north-east.