Boko Haram and ISWAP Resume Infighting After Failed Reconciliation
Two weeks after a failed attempt to reconcile Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the two groups have resumed hostilities in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria.
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The latest round of clashes, which erupted on February 14, took place around ISWAP camps in Toumbun Gini and Toumbun Ali. According to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, ISWAP suffered heavy casualties in the battle, which was fought on water. There are concerns that the fighting could escalate further, potentially spreading to Kukawa Local Government Area, where Boko Haram militants continue to challenge ISWAP’s dominance.
A History of Internal Conflict
Since ISWAP broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, the two factions have been embroiled in a bitter power struggle. The division was primarily ideological, with differences over who should be classified as an apostate and the justification for executions.
Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of Boko Haram, had initially pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015, making him the leader of ISWAP. However, tensions arose when a faction led by Habib Yusuf, son of Boko Haram’s founder Mohammed Yusuf, rejected Shekau’s leadership. Yusuf, also known as Abu Musab al-Barnawi, was recognized by ISIS as the legitimate ISWAP leader, forcing Shekau and his loyalists to revert to the Boko Haram designation.
This internal discord ultimately led to Shekau’s demise in 2021 when ISWAP forces raided his Sambisa Forest hideout. Rather than surrender, Shekau reportedly detonated a suicide vest, ending his 11-year reign of terror. His successor, Bakura Doro, has since struggled to consolidate power, leading to continued infighting that has weakened both factions.
A Failed Reconciliation Effort
In an apparent attempt to unify forces, Doro recently wrote to ISWAP leaders seeking reconciliation. According to Malik Samuel, a researcher specializing in extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, ISWAP formed a committee to review the proposal, but the peace process ultimately collapsed, leading to renewed violence.
A Borno-based journalist who has covered extremist violence in the region confirmed the failed negotiations. “The ongoing clashes are likely linked to the breakdown of the peace deal,” he said on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
ISWAP has historically been open to reconciliation efforts, particularly since Shekau’s death. However, fundamental ideological disagreements persist, particularly regarding the treatment of civilians. While Boko Haram indiscriminately targets civilians, ISWAP, despite its brutality, prefers a more structured approach, often using taxation and governance tactics to control local populations.
Strategic Implications and Future Outlook
The renewed hostilities underscore the operational weaknesses of both groups. With sustained military offensives and internal divisions depleting their ranks, both factions have resorted to guerrilla warfare, using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to maintain relevance. Experts suggest that these internal battles have likely killed more insurgents than military operations.
Despite their losses, ISWAP remains a formidable force, leveraging international recognition and support from the broader Islamic State network. The group has received foreign instructors to train its fighters, including minors, a development that may have influenced Boko Haram’s recent overtures for reconciliation.
While the Nigerian military and regional security forces may benefit from these internal rivalries, the broader threat posed by both factions remains a pressing concern. More than 35 million people in the Lake Chad region continue to suffer from the instability caused by these extremist groups. Recognizing the humanitarian crisis, the European Union recently allocated €201 million in aid to the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
Ultimately, while Boko Haram and ISWAP remain locked in a deadly struggle for supremacy, the Nigerian government and its regional partners must sustain military pressure and invest in counter-extremism strategies to prevent either faction from regaining strength.
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Boko Haram and ISWAP Resume Infighting After Failed Reconciliation