Boko Haram Rebrands, Calls Itself Islamic Group Empire In West Africa

Nigeria’s terror Boko Haram sect has released new photos of militants and calls itself the Islamic group empire in West Africa, or  ‘West African Province’ of the Islamic State (in another translation).

Pictures showed fighters who were killed in battles with security forces. The images are described as those of fighters who were martyred.

Boko Haram members posing with assault rifles somewhere in a forest of the North East. Photo: Dailymail

In this case, the terror group did not cover their faces contrary to Boko Haram’s usual practice.
The reports were published on BBC News’ Facebook account:

Boko Haram member poses with ISIS flag, Kalashnikov rifle. Photo: Dailymail

Boko Haram has formally declared an alliance with the Islamic State according to an audio record released on March 7, 2015, which was uploaded via a Twitter handle.
This comes one day after Nigeria said the army has launched attacks in Sambisa Forest, which is seen is the last hideout of Boko Haram.

Boko Haram memebers riding a jeep somewhere in the North East. Photo: Dailymail

There were reports that the 200 schoolgirls abducted by the group a year ago are being held in Sambisa Forest.
The Nigerian military are continuing operations in the forest as the terrorists have reportedly run out of arms and ammunition.

Boko Haram members preparing a mortar. Photo: Dailymail

Boko Haram and ISIS are separated by nearly 2,500 kilometers geographically, but their operational and ideological similarities are highly inter-connected. Thus far, direct links between the two groups have not been documented, but Boko Haram’s verbal support for ISIS and its modeling aspects of the insurgency in Nigeria on ISIS’s strategy in Iraq and Syria suggests a potential ambition of Boko Haram for a closer relationship–possibly even direct collaboration.