This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30623199
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Boko Haram unrest: Cameroon air strikes on Nigerian militants | Boko Haram unrest: Cameroon air strikes on Nigerian militants |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Cameroon has carried out its first air strikes against militant Islamist group Boko Haram, after it over-ran a military base and attacked five villages, officials have said. | |
The military repelled the coordinated attacks and regained control of the base, they added. | |
At least 41 militants and one solder were killed, the officials said. | |
The Nigeria-based group is increasingly carrying out cross-border raids, threatening Cameroon's security. | The Nigeria-based group is increasingly carrying out cross-border raids, threatening Cameroon's security. |
The latest fighting was the most intense, lasting for three days along several fronts, reports the BBC's Jean-David Mihamle from Cameroon's capital Yaounde. | The latest fighting was the most intense, lasting for three days along several fronts, reports the BBC's Jean-David Mihamle from Cameroon's capital Yaounde. |
'New escalation' | |
About 1,000 militants attacked five villages, including Amchide, and seized the nearby Achigachia military base, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck told Reuters news agency. | |
"After that, the head of state ordered the air force to carry out strikes. With the bombardment, the fighters were forced to decamp from Achigachia," he said. | |
Cameroon under pressure from Boko Haram | Cameroon under pressure from Boko Haram |
In a statement, Cameroon's Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said the multiple attacks showed that Boko Haram had adopted a new strategy aimed at "distracting Cameroonian troops on different fronts, making them more vulnerable in the face of the mobility and unpredictability of their attacks". | |
At least 34 militants were killed after the army raided one of their bases in Cameroon, while another seven were killed in a separate clash which also claimed the life of a soldier, Mr Bakary said, Reuters reports. | |
The air strikes marked "a new escalation in the Cameroonian response... to multiple enemy attacks", he added, AFP news agency reports. | |
Last week, Cameroon said it had dismantled a Boko Haram training camp on its territory, and had seized 84 children who were being trained there. | Last week, Cameroon said it had dismantled a Boko Haram training camp on its territory, and had seized 84 children who were being trained there. |
More than 40 of its soldiers have been killed in fighting with Boko Haram this year, according to Reuters. | More than 40 of its soldiers have been killed in fighting with Boko Haram this year, according to Reuters. |
Boko Haram launched its insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria in 2009, saying it wanted to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. | Boko Haram launched its insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria in 2009, saying it wanted to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. |
It recruits mainly unemployed youth and has seized large swathes of territory in Borno state, raising fears that it could launch an assault on its main city, Maiduguri. | It recruits mainly unemployed youth and has seized large swathes of territory in Borno state, raising fears that it could launch an assault on its main city, Maiduguri. |
At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by the group in Nigeria this year. | At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by the group in Nigeria this year. |
The kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in April from the town of Chibok in Borno state sparked international outrage. | The kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in April from the town of Chibok in Borno state sparked international outrage. |
Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |
Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |
Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau | Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau |