In a significant military operation against the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) carried out a series of airstrikes on August 16, 2024, in the Southern Lake Chad Region.
The operation, conducted under the banner of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), targeted key ISWAP strongholds located in the Marte Local Government Area (LGA).
According to intelligence sources, two Super Tucano aircraft were deployed in the mission, delivering precise strikes on enemy positions in the Tombun Baba Jedda and Arinna Soro areas.
The airstrikes caused substantial damage to ISWAP’s infrastructure and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorist group.
At Tombun Baba Jedda, the airstrikes resulted in the destruction of several pieces of equipment and water vessels used by the insurgents.
Additionally, numerous ISWAP fighters were reportedly neutralized in the attack, further weakening the group’s operational capabilities.
In the Arinna Soro area, the NAF’s airstrikes targeted an ISWAP medical dispensary, rendering it inoperative and immobilizing an uncertain number of vehicles.
This strike also reportedly led to the elimination of several high-ranking ISWAP leaders and commanders, dealing a severe blow to the organization’s leadership structure.
The success of the airstrikes has reportedly forced ISWAP to recall an advance team of fighters that had been dispatched for rival attack missions at Filin A’Uzo and Dabar Wanzam.
This decision is believed to be an attempt to cover up the extent of the group’s losses and avoid exposing themselves to an offensive from a rival faction known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS).
The latest operation highlights the continued efforts of the Nigerian military to combat insurgency and terrorism in the Lake Chad region, with the NAF playing a crucial role in degrading the capabilities of ISWAP and other terrorist groups operating in the area.
