The Nigerian army neutralizes 18 insurgents in operations in the northeast of the country.

The Nigerian troops have killed at least 18 Islamist militants and destroyed several insurgent enclaves in coordinated operations in Borno State, the army said on Wednesday, as security forces intensify pressure on jihadist groups in the northeast.

Borno State, whose area is comparable to that of Ireland, has been experiencing an insurgency led by Boko Haram and its dissident branch, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), for 17 years. This conflict has already caused the deaths of thousands of people and displaced 2 million inhabitants.

Army spokesman Sani Uba stated that the troops, supported by air force units and local auxiliaries, carried out offensives in the Tombouctou axis and the Bulabulin forest, targeting caches and supply networks. Eleven militants were killed in Bulabulin and seven in the Tombouctou area, Mr. Uba noted in a statement.

These operations are part of a campaign to dismantle the insurgent strongholds in the region following a recent attack on military bases that claimed the lives of several soldiers, including senior officers.

French support has ensured surveillance and precision strikes, while sweep operations continue to track down fleeing insurgents, Mr. Uba added.