ISWAP commanders clash, several fighters feared dead

ISWAP Fighters Killed in Internal Clash Over Planned Attack

Timbuktu Triangle, Lake Chad Basin — Recent reports indicate that several fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed following an internal conflict among their commanders. The clash erupted over a disagreement regarding a planned operation in the area.

Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama shared details of the incident in a post on X, stating that tensions escalated after a disagreement between two senior field commanders. The dispute centered on the conduct of an operation that was originally scheduled for the previous night.

One commander, identified only as Abu Ali, reportedly declined to allow his fighters to take part in the planned attack. This decision prompted backlash from another senior commander, who accused Ali of sabotaging the operation and questioned his loyalty to ISWAP.

Makama noted that this confrontation was not merely a single disagreement. It represented a buildup of tensions among commanders, fueled by declining resources, logistical challenges, and operational disputes that have persisted for weeks.

The refusal to support the planned attack has highlighted underlying grievances within the organization. Rival commanders are increasingly vying for influence, manpower, and control over supplies, further complicating the group’s internal dynamics.

The Timbuktu Triangle has long served as one of ISWAP’s key operational centers, acting as a sanctuary for its leaders, training facilities, and logistical hubs from which they coordinate attacks across the Lake Chad Basin region.

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