Islamic State first seized parts of Syria and Iraq but later built up a foothold in Libya, exploiting a security vacuum.
A
signpost painted by Boko Haram is seen in the recently retaken town of
Damasak, Nigeria, March 18, 2015.
Boko Haram jihadists are likely
to step up cooperation with Islamic State should the latter extremist
group gain a stronger foothold in Libya, a senior British official said
on Saturday.
Boko Haram, which has been waging a seven-year insurgency in northern Nigeria, last year pledged loyalty to Islamic State.
Little
is known about the extent of cooperation. But Western officials worry
that Islamic State's growing presence in North Africa and ties with Boko
Haram could herald a push south into the Sahel region and create a
springboard for wider attacks.
Islamic State first seized parts of Syria and Iraq but later built up a foothold in Libya, exploiting a security vacuum.
"If
we see Daesh establish a stronger presence in Libya, that feels much
more to people here like a direct communications route, that is likely
to step up the practical collaboration between the two groups," British
Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said at a security conference in
Nigeria.
He was referring to a derogatory name of Islamic State.
On
Friday, a senior U.S. official said there were signs of Boko Haram
fighters going to Libya from Nigeria, crossing via porous Sub-Saharan
borders.
"The intent is clearly there, the
evidence of hard collaboration is still pretty sketchy," Hammond said
about the cooperation between the two groups.
At
the conference attended by Nigeria's neighbours and Western powers,
several African leaders warned stability in lawless Libya was key to
fighting Boko Haram and improving security in the region.
In a speech, Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari
said the army had almost recaptured all territory it had lost to Boko
Haram, though the group still often stages suicide bombings.
"What
remains is to dislodge the terrorists from their hideout in the
(northeastern) Sambisa forest and safely liberate the Chibok girls and
other victims of abduction," he said.
He was referring to a group of 219 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in the Nigerian town of Chibok in 2014.
Buhari
also said the Nigeria's army was respecting human rights when dealing
with civilians, a condition from the U.S. to fulfill requests to sell it
aircraft and other arms.
Under Buhari's predecessor Goodluck Jonathan, the United States had blocked arms sales, partly due to human rights concerns.
U.S.
officials told Reuters this month Washington wants to sell up to 12
A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft to Nigeria but Congress needs to
approve this.
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