Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) reportedly turned their weapons on one another in the Timbuktu Triangle following a disagreement over a planned attack, resulting in multiple deaths within the group.
Some commanders and fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating in the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State reportedly killed one another after a disagreement over a planned attack. The internal clash is said to have followed the collapse of an operation the group had been preparing to execute.
According to security reports, the disagreement escalated into a gun battle among the insurgents, with several commanders and fighters reportedly killed during the confrontation. The dispute was linked to differing positions over the execution of a planned attack, which ultimately did not take place.
The incident reportedly occurred within the Timbuktu Triangle, one of the areas where ISWAP maintains a significant operational presence in the North-East. The development reflects internal tensions within the group even as military operations continue against insurgent elements in the region.
The reported infighting comes amid sustained counter-insurgency operations targeting ISWAP and other terrorist groups in Nigeria’s North-East. Security analysts have noted that leadership disputes and operational disagreements can emerge within insurgent groups, particularly during periods of intensified military pressure.
As of the time of reporting, Nigerian military authorities had not issued an official statement specifically addressing the reported clash among the ISWAP fighters. The account was based on intelligence and security reports cited by local media.
While the reported confrontation highlights internal divisions within the insurgent group, security operations against terrorist activities continue across the North-East as authorities monitor developments in the Timbuktu Triangle.