Several fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly been killed after rival commanders turned their weapons on each other following a dispute over a planned attack in the Timbuktu Triangle.
Counter-terrorism expert disclosed the incident in a post on X, stating that the deadly confrontation erupted after a heated disagreement between senior field commanders over an operation scheduled for the previous night.
According to the report, one commander identified as Abu Ali refused to allow fighters under his control to participate in the planned attack. His decision reportedly angered another senior commander, who accused him of deliberately sabotaging the operation and questioned his loyalty to the group.
Sources said the confrontation escalated into an armed clash, resulting in the deaths of several ISWAP fighters.
The report added that the incident was the culmination of weeks of growing tension among the group’s leadership over operational decisions, dwindling resources, and the management of logistics within the enclave.
The disagreement is also believed to reflect an ongoing power struggle among rival commanders competing for influence, manpower, and control of supplies inside the insurgent group.
The Timbuktu Triangle has long served as one of ISWAP’s key operational strongholds, housing commanders, training camps, and logistics hubs used to coordinate attacks across parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
