Latest news with #airStrikes
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nearly 600 killed in Nigeria airstrikes in eight months, air force says
LAGOS (Reuters) -Nigeria's military has killed 592 armed militia members in the northeastern sate of Borno in the past eight months, after stepping up air strikes in a region hit by years of violence, the air force said. The results surpassed the operational gains recorded in 2024, Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar said during a visit to Borno Governor Babagana Zulum on Tuesday. Abubakar said the air force also destroyed more than 200 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs in a sweeping offensive against insurgents in the northeast. Militants from Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have attacked security forces and civilians in Nigeria's northeast, causing widespread displacement and thousands of deaths. Militia gangs in Borno State have killed at least 2,000 people since 2023, according to Nigeria Watch, a database that monitors lethal conflicts and security in the country. "This year, our air war is faster, sharper and more surgical," Abubakar said. "We are taking out high-value targets, crippling logistics networks and dismantling cells that threaten peace in the northeast." Confidence MacHarry, Senior Analyst at research consultancy SBM Intelligence in Lagos, said it was hard to independently verify how effective the air campaign had been. "However, the reality on the ground shows that the military's claim of success pales in comparison to gains and successful attacks carried out by the leading Boko Haram factions in Borno since the renewed ISWAP offensive was launched late 2024," he told Reuters. Abubakar said the operation involved coordinated day-and-night air strikes across key locations in the state, including Gonori, Rann, Dikwa, Damboa, Azir and Mallam Fatori. He said it was bolstered by A-29 Super Tucano aircraft capable of precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for medical evacuation and logistics, and enhanced surveillance platforms for round-the-clock target tracking. A newly acquired Mi-35 gunship is expected to further strengthen close-air support for ground forces, Abubakar said. He said Nigerian Air Force aircraft flew 798 combat sorties and logged over 1,500 operational flight hours under Operation Hadin Kai, Nigeria's military's counterinsurgency operation in the northeast. This week, the military said it killed scores of armed gang members in a joint air and ground operation in Zamfara, northwest Nigeria, after more than 400 of them were seen preparing to attack a village in the state.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Nearly 600 killed in Nigeria airstrikes in eight months, air force says
LAGOS, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Nigeria's military has killed 592 armed militia members in the northeastern sate of Borno in the past eight months, after stepping up air strikes in a region hit by years of violence, the air force said. The results surpassed the operational gains recorded in 2024, Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar said during a visit to Borno Governor Babagana Zulum on Tuesday. Abubakar said the air force also destroyed more than 200 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs in a sweeping offensive against insurgents in the northeast. Militants from Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have attacked security forces and civilians in Nigeria's northeast, causing widespread displacement and thousands of deaths. Militia gangs in Borno State have killed at least 2,000 people since 2023, according to Nigeria Watch, a database that monitors lethal conflicts and security in the country. "This year, our air war is faster, sharper and more surgical," Abubakar said. "We are taking out high-value targets, crippling logistics networks and dismantling cells that threaten peace in the northeast." Confidence MacHarry, Senior Analyst at research consultancy SBM Intelligence in Lagos, said it was hard to independently verify how effective the air campaign had been. "However, the reality on the ground shows that the military's claim of success pales in comparison to gains and successful attacks carried out by the leading Boko Haram factions in Borno since the renewed ISWAP offensive was launched late 2024," he told Reuters. Abubakar said the operation involved coordinated day-and-night air strikes across key locations in the state, including Gonori, Rann, Dikwa, Damboa, Azir and Mallam Fatori. He said it was bolstered by A-29 Super Tucano aircraft capable of precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for medical evacuation and logistics, and enhanced surveillance platforms for round-the-clock target tracking. A newly acquired Mi-35 gunship is expected to further strengthen close-air support for ground forces, Abubakar said. He said Nigerian Air Force aircraft flew 798 combat sorties and logged over 1,500 operational flight hours under Operation Hadin Kai, Nigeria's military's counterinsurgency operation in the northeast. This week, the military said it killed scores of armed gang members in a joint air and ground operation in Zamfara, northwest Nigeria, after more than 400 of them were seen preparing to attack a village in the state.
The National
07-08-2025
- Politics
- The National
Latest: Israel's plan to reoccupy Gaza expected to be approved today
Israel's plan to reoccupy Gaza expected to be approved on Thursday Egyptian Foreign Minister calls West's response to Gaza suffering shameful Israel carries out air strikes on southern Lebanon Hezbollah says it will ignore Lebanese cabinet plan to disarm group At least 61,158 Palestinians killed and 151,442 wounded since Gaza war began
Al Jazeera
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Why is Israel escalating its strikes against Syria?
Israel has attacked Syrian government forces in a wave of deadly air strikes, at the same time as violence has gripped the southern province of Suwayda. In the spotlight is Syria's Druze minority, also present in Israel. What does the fighting spell for Syria's future?
The National
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Regional and world powers urge restraint in Syria after clashes and Israeli strikes
Regional and world powers called for restraint in Syria on Wednesday after Israel launched air strikes on the heart of Damascus in response to an escalating Syrian government offensive in the southern city of Sweida. Clashes have raged for days in Sweida between government forces and armed groups from the Druze minority. Israel says its air strikes are in support of the Druze and has vowed to escalate its involvement. On Wednesday it struck the Syrian Defence Ministry headquarters and other targets in the capital. One person was killed and 18 wounded in the attacks, Syria's Health Ministry said. US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on X "we unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Sweida". "All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire," he added. "Perpetrators need to be held accountable." The EU said it was alarmed by the clashes in Sweida, calling on all sides to implement a ceasefire and protect civilians. But it also urged "all external actors" to "fully respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity", after Israel carried out its strikes. Israeli Druze break through border fence and march into Syria France called for an end to "abuses targeting civilians". It said there must be an "immediate cessation of clashes" and urged all sides to bring about a truce. Syrian government forces entered Sweida on Tuesday with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire agreed with Druze community leaders after clashes with Bedouin tribes left dozens dead. But some witnesses said government forces had joined the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians. "France supports the efforts of the Syrian transitional authorities and the leaders of the Sweida region to restore dialogue, and hopes for a lasting agreement to strengthen the unity, stability and sovereignty of Syria, as well as the safety of all Syrians," Paris said. Turkey meanwhile condemned Israel's intervention, saying it aimed to sabotage Syria's efforts to establish peace and security. The Foreign Ministry said Syria had a historic opportunity to live in peace and integrate into the world after the toppling of former president Bashar Al Assad last year. The Gulf Co-operation Council also criticised Israel's attacks, saying they "constitute a flagrant violation" of Syria's sovereignty. Secretary General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi said the air strikes were a "breach of international laws and norms, and a serious threat to regional security and stability". "Continuation of these repeated and ongoing attacks by the Israeli occupation forces constitutes an irresponsible escalation," the GCC said. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called the Israeli operations a "blatant violation" of state sovereignty, international law and the UN Charter. He condemned the strikes in "the strongest possible terms" and called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel. But Israel vowed further intervention. "The signals to Damascus are over – now come the painful blows," said Defence Minister Israel Katz, promising the Israeli military would "operate forcefully" in Sweida "to eliminate the forces that attacked the Druze until their full withdrawal".
