The Nigerian
based terrorist organization Boko Haram has renamed itself the “Islamic State’s
West Africa Province” (ISWAP), causing analysts to examine whether the militant
group ISIS has gained a firm foothold beyond the Middle East and North Africa.
Boko
Haram/ISWAP leader Abubakar Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIS last month; however,
the group had appeared to continue to operate under its official Arabic name
Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which translates into “People
Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad”.
Boko Haram, which
translates into “Western education is forbidden”, was used as a nickname for the
terrorist group since its formation in 2002.
But now propaganda
materials shared by ISIS-affiliated social media accounts have removed both names
for ISWAP and appear to share the production style more usually associated with
jihadists in Syria and Iraq.
The images
show Boko Haram fighters toting guns and with their faces visible for the first
time – with the exception of figurehead Shekau.
Militants
have previously been reluctant to reveal their identities.
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| Boko Haram / ISWAP fighters in a rare photo showing their faces |
The
strengthening of ties with ISIS could have a significant impact on Boko
Haram/ISWAP’s extremist and military activity in the sub-Saharan region.
The group,
which has an estimated 15,000 members, has suffered losses in recent weeks but retaliated
on Saturday, targeting an army base on Lake Chad in Niger.
Niger is a member
of the regional coalition that, along with Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Nigeria
itself, is credited with taking back large areas of land in Nigeria from Boko
Haram/ISWAP.
Niger’s
defense ministry said it’s army may have suffered “heavy losses” in Saturday’s
attack, which saw suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters attack the base on
Karamga Island with a fleet of 10 motorized canoes.