How ISWAP emerged as the dominant jihadist force in Africa’s Lake Chad basin

Key points

• A joint operation by Nigerian forces and U.S. African Command that killed 175 Islamic militants has drawn attention to the complex security situation in Lake Chad basin.
• The operation has renewed the focus on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which has steadily eclipsed Boko Haram to become the most powerful jihadist organisation operating in the basin.
• In recent months, Washington has expanded military and intelligence support to Nigeria as part of broader efforts to counter Islamic State affiliates operating across West Africa.
• The strikes carried out on May 16 and 18 killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS-linked commander associated with ISWAP — the Islamic State’s affiliate in West Africa.
• They also destroyed checkpoints and weapons used by the group, dealing a temporary setback to its operations.