Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is a faction of Boko Haram operating primarily in northeastern Nigeria. They are newsworthy due to a recent surge in attacks, including suicide bombings and raids on villages, resulting in significant casualties. These attacks have prompted the Nigerian government to deploy additional troops and have led to increased international involvement, including the deployment of U.S. military drones and personnel for training and intelligence gathering. The Nigerian army has also conducted operations against ISWAP, claiming to have killed a top commander and other militants. ISWAP's activities contribute to a complex security crisis in Nigeria, impacting civilian populations and necessitating both domestic and international counter-terrorism efforts.