Air raids target jihadist havens

Since Friday, Chadian armed forces have launched intensive airstrikes against Boko Haram positions situated on remote islands scattered across Lake Tchad—a sprawling wetland spanning the borders of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. Local sources report that militants fled islands including Dogon Chukwu, Kangarwa, and Gashakar aboard small boats, accompanied by their families. Additionally, clashes erupted between Chadian troops and jihadist fighters on Kaukeri Island, a primary stronghold for the group in the region.

Civilian casualties emerge from military strikes

Civilian lives were also impacted by the operations. Dozens of Nigerian fishermen operating on islands under Boko Haram control were reportedly killed during the bombings. Graphic videos obtained show severely injured individuals receiving treatment at a hospital in Bosso, Niger. In this area, many fishermen persist in working under jihadist influence, often forced to pay extortion fees demanded by Boko Haram.

Counteroffensive follows deadly ambushes

These military actions follow a series of devastating attacks targeting Chadian armed forces. Last week, Chad declared three days of national mourning after two high-ranking generals were killed in an ambush. Days earlier, an assault on a military base along Lake Tchad’s shores resulted in at least 24 Chadian soldier fatalities. A Nigerian intelligence source revealed that the airstrikes were synchronized among Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, with each nation deploying two fighter jets.

Persistent insurgency plagues the region

The insurgency led by Boko Haram and its rival faction, Islamic State West Africa Province, has left thousands dead and displaced millions across the Lake Tchad basin since 2009. In response to escalating violence in neighboring countries, regional states have reactivated the Multinational Joint Task Force to intensify efforts against armed jihadist groups.