At present, the threat of terrorist attacks from representatives of the radical movements of Islam is acquiring enormous proportions, having already become a global problem. Moreover, criminal organizations that profess and propagate Salafi Islam operate not only in the Middle East. They are also present on the African continent. In addition to the well-known Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda, these include, in particular, the radical Boko Haram group, which has already become famous throughout the planet for its monstrous and horrific crimes. One way or another, but the plans of the leaders of this religious structure are quite large-scale, therefore, in order to achieve the “great” goal, they will continue to kill innocent people. The African authorities are trying to counter Islamist terrorists, but this does not always work out. What is the radical structure of Boko Haram? Let's take a closer look at this issue.
Historical background
The founder and ideologist of the above organization isa man who is known as Mohammed Yusuf. It was he who in 2002 created a training center in the city of Maiduguri (Nigeria).
His brainchild was named "Boko Haram", which in Russian means "Western is a sin." The principle of rejection of Western European civilization was the basis of the slogan of his grouping. Boko Haram soon transformed into the main opposition force against the Nigerian government, and the ideologue of the radicals accused the government of being a puppet in the hands of the West.
Doctrine
What did Mohammed Yusuf and his followers want to achieve? It is natural that his native country should live according to Sharia law, and all the achievements of Western European culture, science, and art should be rejected once and for all. Even wearing a suit and tie was positioned as something alien. It is noteworthy that Boko Haram does not have any political agenda. All that the radicals know how to do is to commit crimes: kidnapping officials, subversive activities and killings of civilians. The organization is funded by robbery, hostage ransom and private investment.
Attempt to seize power
So, with the question of what is Boko Haram in Nigeria today, much is clear. And what was the group a few years ago?
She was just gaining strength and power. At the end of the 2000s, Mohammed Yusuf tried to seize power in the country by force, but the action was severely suppressed, and he himself was sent to prison, where he was killed. Butsoon Boko Haram had a new leader - a certain Abubakar Shekau, who continued the policy of terror.
Scope of activity
Currently, the Nigerian group refers to itself as the "West African Province of the Islamic State." The number of the organization that controls the northeastern lands of Nigeria is about 5-6 thousand militants. But the geography of criminal activity extends beyond the borders of the country: terrorists operate in Cameroon, and in Chad, and in other African countries. Alas, the authorities alone cannot cope with the terrorists: they need help from outside. In the meantime, hundreds and thousands of innocent people are suffering.
Not so long ago, the leader of radical terrorists swore allegiance to the criminal organization "Islamic State". As proof of their allegiance to IS, Boko Haram sent about 200 of its people to Libya to wage war.
Mass terror
The crimes committed by Nigerian radicals are striking in their cruelty, thereby terrifying civilians. Police killings, terrorist attacks and the destruction of Christian churches are just some of the atrocities committed by extremists.
Only in 2015, Boko Haram militants kidnapped people in Cameroon, during the pogrom of the city of Fotokol killed more than a hundred people, initiated a terrorist attack in Abadam. In addition, they killed civilians in Njab and abducted women and children in Damascus.
Spring 2014 Security CouncilThe UN announced that the radical Nigerian Islamist organization Boko Haram has been designated a terrorist group.
Another egregious atrocity was committed by terrorists in the village of Chibok. There they captured more than 270 schoolgirls. This case immediately gained a wide public resonance. Law enforcement agencies carefully thought out the operation to free the captives. But, alas, only a few were saved. Most of the girls were converted to Islam, after which they were forcibly married.
Killing children
A shocking and monstrous crime occurred in the village of Dalori, located near the city of Maidaguri (north-east of the country).
It was found that members of the Boko Haram group burned 86 children. According to eyewitnesses who miraculously managed to escape, militants on motorcycles and cars broke into the village, opened fire on civilians and threw grenades at their homes. The bodies of children burned alive turned into a pile of ashes. But this only angered the extremists. The criminals destroyed two refugee camps.
Control measures
Naturally, the authorities could not but respond to a whole series of terrorist attacks by radicals. Moreover, not only in Nigeria, but also in Cameroon, Niger and Benin, they pledged to punish them. Consultations were held at which the problem of countering extremists was discussed in detail. As a result, a plan was developed for the deployment of the Mixed Multinational Force (SMS), which was supposed to eliminate the militants. ByAccording to preliminary estimates, the strength of the army of security forces should be almost 9 thousand soldiers, and not only the military, but also the police participated in the operation.
Operation plan
The area of operations for the destruction of militants was divided into three parts, each of which is based state. One is located in Baga (on the coast of Lake Chad), another in Gamboru (near the border with Cameroon), and the third in the border town of Mora (northeast Nigeria).
As for the headquarters of the Joint Multinational Force, it will be located in N'Djamena. Nigerian General Illiya Abaha, who had experience in destroying militants, was appointed to lead the operation.
The authorities of the countries hope that Boko Haram will be eliminated by the end of this year, believing that the war against the radicals will not take long.
What can slow down the process?
However, not everything is as simple as we would like. For the operation to be successful, SMS governments need to address domestic social issues as soon as possible. The militants use for their own purposes the dissatisfaction of Islamist citizens with a low standard of living, corruption and the arbitrariness of the authorities. In Nigeria, half of the population is Muslim.
One more circumstance that can negatively affect the speed of the operation cannot be discounted. The fact is that the authorities of many states of the African continent are weakened by civil wars that have been going on for more than a year.
The government has simply lost control over part of its territories, where real anarchy reigns. This is what the radical elements use to win over the Muslims, who are unstable in their choice of political orientation.
One way or another, but the security forces have already managed to conduct a number of successful operations to destroy the terrorists. For example, militants were liquidated in the forest, not far from the city of Maiduguri. Also, west of the city of Kusseri (northeast Cameroon), the SMS army eliminated about 40 members of Boko Haram.
Unfortunately, the Western media today rarely pay attention to the crimes against civilians committed by Boko Haram on the African continent. All attention is focused on the Islamic State, although the threat posed by the Nigerian group is also very serious. Newspapers and magazines in Nigeria simply do not have the power to tell the world about their problems. It remains to be hoped that the situation will someday change, and the West will not ignore the problems of terrorism in South Africa.
