In a series of recent airstrikes, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) reportedly has inflicted significant damage on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), killing numerous fighters and top leaders while also destroying key equipment and strongholds.
According to reports, two Super Tucano aircraft targeted ISWAP bases in the Southern Lake Chad Region on August 16, 2024, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time. These strikes, conducted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, caused heavy casualties and destruction, including the obliteration of several pieces of equipment and water vessels, as well as the elimination of numerous fighters.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a local security expert, that the airstrikes hit an ISWAP medical dispensary, disabled several vehicles, and resulted in the deaths of top leaders and commanders.
The sources also revealed that ISWAP has recalled its advance team of fighters, earlier sent on to attack rival insurgents, suggesting that the strikes caused significant losses among its leadership.
The operation by the Nigerian Air Force reportedly has weakened ISWAP considerably, and the group is now trying to conceal the extent of its losses to prevent an offensive from its rival group, Boko Haram (Western Learning Forbidden).