ISWAP Commanders Clash Over Planned Attack
Several ISWAP fighters were reportedly killed after rival commanders clashed over disagreements surrounding a planned operation in the Timbuktu Triangle.
ISWAP infighting reportedly left several fighters dead after rival commanders clashed over disagreements surrounding a planned operation in the Timbuktu Triangle.
Several ISWAP fighters were reportedly killed after rival commanders turned their weapons on one another during an internal dispute in the Timbuktu Triangle. According to counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama, the confrontation followed disagreements over a planned attack that had been scheduled for the previous night.
Makama said the conflict began after a heated argument between senior field commanders over how the operation should be carried out. One commander, identified as Abu Ali, reportedly refused to allow fighters under his control to participate in the planned assault.
His decision allegedly angered another senior commander, who accused him of deliberately obstructing the operation and questioned his loyalty to the group. The disagreement quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in casualties among ISWAP fighters.
According to Makama, the incident reflected deeper divisions within the group rather than an isolated disagreement. He said tensions had been growing for several weeks because of disagreements over operational decisions, declining resources and the management of logistics inside the enclave.
The report added that the refusal to approve the planned attack exposed long-standing rivalries among commanders, with competing factions seeking greater influence, manpower and control over available supplies. These internal disputes reportedly contributed to the deadly confrontation.
The Timbuktu Triangle has remained one of ISWAP’s most important operational bases for several years. The area reportedly serves as a sanctuary for commanders, training camps and logistics centres used to coordinate operations across parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
The reported ISWAP infighting highlights ongoing internal tensions within the group, although the full extent of the casualties has not been independently confirmed.
Do you think internal divisions could weaken the operational strength of armed groups over time?
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